khan1
[kahn, kan]
- (in the Altaic group of languages) a title held by hereditary rulers or tribal chiefs.
- the supreme ruler of the Tatar tribes, as well as emperor of China, during the Middle Ages: a descendant of Genghis Khan.
- a title of respect used in Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and other countries of Asia.
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Origin of khan1
1350–1400; Middle English Ca(a)n, Chan ≪ Turkic Khān, apparently contraction of Khāgān, equivalent to Turkish kağan ruler
khan2
[kahn, kan]
- an inn or caravansary.
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Origin of khan2
1350–1400; < Arabic < Persian; replacing Middle English alchan < Arabic (al the + khān)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for khan
Contemporary Examples
The now-efficient process “once took a month by former means and now actually takes a day,” says Dr. Khan.
The Science of Ingredient InnovationDecember 15, 2014
Part of that, Dr. Khan says, was a direct result of the global trekking PepsiCo is doing.
The Science of Ingredient InnovationDecember 15, 2014
Worried this might turn people off from his performance, Khan said he didn't intend to offend anyone.
Allied with a Canadian-Pakistani Islamic preacher, Khan has called for Sharif to resign.
Khalid al Najar, 27, was half dazed as he walked back toward Khan Younis with a plastic bag of clothes.
Historical Examples
On this occasion, our provisions were supplemented by the hospitality of the khan.
The Story of the Malakand Field ForceSir Winston S. Churchill
The Khan of Dir, the most important, is a Government nominee.
The Story of the Malakand Field ForceSir Winston S. Churchill
The khan asserted his loyalty and that of his neighbour the Khan of Jar.
The Story of the Malakand Field ForceSir Winston S. Churchill
The retainers of the Khan of Khar implored them not to be so rash.
The Story of the Malakand Field ForceSir Winston S. Churchill
You see, the question was what to do about the mess that the Khan and Khant made.
Christmas Every Day and Other StoriesW. D. Howells
khan1
- (formerly) a title borne by medieval Chinese emperors and Mongol and Turkic rulers: usually added to a nameKublai Khan
- such a ruler
- a title of respect borne by important personages in Afghanistan and central Asia
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Word Origin
C14: from Old French caan, from Medieval Latin caanus, from Turkish khān, contraction of khāqān ruler
khan2
- an inn in Turkey, certain Arab countries, etc; caravanserai
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Word Origin
C14: via Arabic from Persian
Khan
- See Imran Khan
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for khan
n.
c.1400, from Turkic, literally "lord, prince," contraction of khaqan "ruler, sovereign." Known in Europe since 13c., cf. Latin chanis, Greek kanes, Old French chan.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper