munshi
Americannoun
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an interpreter or language instructor.
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a secretary or assistant.
Etymology
Origin of munshi
First recorded in 1770–80; from Hindi munshī, from Arabic munshi' “writer”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He left India as part of an embassy from the Mughal emperor Shah Allam II to the British court as its Persian scribe, or munshi.
From The Guardian • Jun. 2, 2018
I find myself genuinely touched by the bond between the empress and the munshi.
From New York Times • Oct. 3, 2017
I suspect that the munshi was a sort of dual reincarnation of Victoria’s beloved Albert and her dear, dear John Brown.
From New York Times • Oct. 3, 2017
Despite the staunch disapproval by the royal court of a Muslim being Victoria’s close confidant, he became her teacher, or munshi, and stayed close to her side up until her death in 1901.
From Washington Times • Sep. 20, 2017
As he rose to go forward and welcome them, a low voice—that of the munshi sitting on the ground at his side—arrested him.
From The Path to Honour by Grier, Sydney C.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
