rayah

/ ˈrɑːjə; ˈraɪə /

noun

1. (formerly) a non-Muslim subject of the Ottoman Empire Also (less common)raia

Word History and Origins

Origin of rayah¹

C19: from Turkish raiyye , from Arabic ra`iyah herd, flock

Example Sentences

Rayah, r′ya, n. a non-Mohammedan subject of Turkey who pays the capitation tax.

From Project Gutenberg

The term by which the Turk described his Christian neighbour was "our rayah," that is, "our subject."

From Project Gutenberg

Kassim Pasha is your den, where your rayah loll and scratch in the sun!

From Project Gutenberg