khan

¹

[ kahn, kan ]

noun

1. (in the Altaic group of languages) a title held by hereditary rulers or tribal chiefs.
2. the supreme ruler of the Tatar tribes, as well as emperor of China, during the Middle Ages: a descendant of Genghis Khan.
3. a title of respect used in Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and other countries of Asia.

khan

²

[ kahn, kan ]

noun

1. an inn or caravansary.

khan

¹

/ kɑːn /

noun

1. an inn in Turkey, certain Arab countries, etc; caravanserai

Khan

²

/ kɑːn /

noun

1. See Imran Khan
   KhanImran See Imran Khan

khan

³

/ kɑːn /

noun

1. 1. (formerly) a title borne by medieval Chinese emperors and Mongol and Turkic rulers: usually added to a name

      Kublai Khan

   2. such a ruler
2. a title of respect borne by important personages in Afghanistan and central Asia

Word History and Origins

Origin of khan¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English Ca(a)n, Chan, ultimately from Turkic Khān, apparently contraction of Khāgān, equivalent to Turkish kağan “ruler”

Origin of khan²

1350–1400; < Arabic < Persian; replacing Middle English alchan < Arabic ( al the + khān )

Word History and Origins

Origin of khan¹

C14: via Arabic from Persian

Origin of khan²

C14: from Old French caan, from Medieval Latin caanus, from Turkish khān, contraction of khāqān ruler

Example Sentences

“Hana Khan Carries On,” by Uzma JalaluddinThis enemies-to-lovers romance is fun, family-driven and heartfelt, like “You’ve Got Mail” if it revolved around rival restaurants in Toronto.

From Washington Post

This article was originally published on Razib Khan’s Substack, Unsupervised Learning, and is reprinted with permission.

From Nautilus

“There’s no secret about where she stands in regards to regulations of these large platforms,” said Pupkin of Khan, noting that the support from GOP lawmakers is “an indication that there is bipartisan support for antitrust changes.”

From Digiday

The now-efficient process “once took a month by former means and now actually takes a day,” says Dr. Khan.

From The Daily Beast

Part of that, Dr. Khan says, was a direct result of the global trekking PepsiCo is doing.

From The Daily Beast

Zalwar Khan returns quickly and begins his morning prayers, spreading out a plastic mat and folding his arms over his chest.

From The Daily Beast

Our escort, Hajji Zalwar Khan, is the chief elder in charge of the valley council.

From The Daily Beast

Over the course of these meetings, Zalwar Khan, whose name in Pashto means brave leader, becomes more relaxed.

From The Daily Beast

“Akhab Khan prevented those Shia dogs from shooting you and Mayne-sahib,” went on the low murmur.

From Project Gutenberg

“Ali Khan” was about to guide the ekka along the rough gangway when Mohammed Rasul interfered.

From Project Gutenberg

As for Akhab Khan and other leaders of rebel brigades, it was impossible to distinguish them among so many.

From Project Gutenberg

Probably the death of Akhab Khan had unnerved her, and she dared not trust to the mercy of the victors.

From Project Gutenberg

I took a stick and a small shield made of basket-work from Peer Khan, who had brought them, and advanced to the centre.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• czar
• emperor
• king
• monarch
• shah
• sultan