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
The munshi seems to have regarded Victoria as an affectionate and generous surrogate mother.
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
I knew such a young sahib as he who slew the lame tiger of Huldwani when I worked as munshi at Hurdwar for certain Faringis who had business there.
From The Taming of the Jungle by Dr. C. W. Doyle
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.
