Pharaoh

[ fair-oh, far-oh, fey-roh ]

/ ˈfɛər oʊ, ˈfær oʊ, ˈfeɪ roʊ /

noun

a title of an ancient Egyptian king.

(lowercase) any person who uses power or authority to oppress others; tyrant.

Origin of Pharaoh

before 900; Middle English Pharao, Old English Pharaon < Latin pharaō < Greek pharaṓ (stem pharaōn-) < Hebrew phārʿōh < Egyptian pr house + ʿʾ great; originally a designation for the palace, but used to refer to the king from the time of Akhenaton (14th cent. b.c.); -h restored from Hebrew

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for pharaohs

During the time of the pharaohs, such funerary vessels were used to store the organs of the deceased.
7 Historically Significant Artifacts Rescued by Happenstance|The Daily Beast|October 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
One of the strongest theories suggests it may have emerged in Ethiopia during the time of the pharaohs.
Egypt’s Terrible FGM Death|Alastair Beach|June 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
They had slumbered in my drawer over the decades, like pharaohs snoozing in their tombs.
Never Before Seen Beatles Photos From 1964|Leslie Woodhead|April 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
When writing about his rise, British tabloids never failed to mention the pharaohs' ancient dynasties.
Hosni Mubarak's Final Tragedy|Christopher Dickey|February 13, 2011|DAILY BEAST

My wife and I recently toured the tombs and temples of the Pharaohs along the Upper Nile.
Chris Matthews on the Buckley Mystique|Chris Matthews|May 3, 2009|DAILY BEAST
The Pharaohs married Asiatic wives, and their courts became gradually Asiatised.
Early Israel and the Surrounding Nations|Archibald Sayce
There is very meagre information concerning the character and style of tapestry in Egypt during the rule of the Pharaohs.
Quilts|Marie D. Webster
It is lauded in ancient texts by priestly poets and Pharaohs.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia|Various
The Pharaohs had enrolled themselves instinctively among the most ardent votaries of this complex doctrine.
History Of Egypt, Chalda, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, Volume 6 (of 12)|G. Maspero
On the bright, accessible side of Africa the Pharaohs built their temples, obelisks, pyramids and sphinxes.
Stanley in Africa|James P. Boyd

British Dictionary definitions for pharaohs

Pharaoh

/ (ˈfɛərəʊ) /

noun

the title of the ancient Egyptian kings

Derived Forms

Pharaonic (fɛəˈrɒnɪk), adjective

Word Origin for Pharaoh

Old English Pharaon, via Latin, Greek, and Hebrew ultimately from Egyptian pr-`o great house

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

Culture definitions for pharaohs (1 of 2)

pharaohs

[ (fair-ohz, fay-rohz) ]

The kings of ancient Egypt (see also Egypt). The pharaohs headed strong governments. They are remembered for establishing extensive irrigation systems and for building as tombs the imposing pyramids, which still stand today.

Note

In the biblical account of the Exodus, a pharaoh refused to let the Israelites under Moses leave Egypt.

Culture definitions for pharaohs (2 of 2)

pharaoh

[ (fair-oh, fay-roh) ]

The title of the kings of ancient Egypt (see also Egypt). In the story of Joseph and his brothers, a pharaoh puts Joseph in charge of his entire kingdom. In the Book of Exodus, a pharaoh repeatedly refuses the request of Moses to let the Israelites leave the country and does not give in until after the worst of the ten plagues of Egypt.

Pharaoh

noun

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Origin of Pharaoh

Examples from the Web for pharaohs

British Dictionary definitions for pharaohs

Pharaoh

noun

Derived Forms

Word Origin for Pharaoh

Culture definitions for pharaohs (1 of 2)

pharaohs

Note

Culture definitions for pharaohs (2 of 2)

pharaoh