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khan
1[ kahn, kan ]
/ kɑn, kæn /
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noun
(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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Also Archaic, cham [kam] /kæm/ .
Origin of khan
1First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English Ca(a)n, Chan, ultimately from Turkic Khān, apparently contraction of Khāgān, equivalent to Turkish kağan “ruler”
Words nearby khan
Other definitions for khan (2 of 2)
khan2
[ kahn, kan ]
/ kɑn, kæn /
noun
an inn or caravansary.
Origin of khan
21350–1400; <Arabic <Persian; replacing Middle English alchan<Arabic (al the + khān)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use khan in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for khan (1 of 3)
khan1
/ (kɑːn) /
noun
- (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
Word Origin for khan
C14: from Old French caan, from Medieval Latin caanus, from Turkish khān, contraction of khāqān ruler
British Dictionary definitions for khan (2 of 3)
khan2
/ (kɑːn) /
noun
an inn in Turkey, certain Arab countries, etc; caravanserai
Word Origin for khan
C14: via Arabic from Persian
British Dictionary definitions for khan (3 of 3)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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