sayyid

[ sah-yid, sey-id ]

/ ˈsɑ yɪd, ˈseɪ ɪd /

noun

(in Islamic countries) a supposed descendant of Muhammad through his grandson Hussein, the second son of his daughter Fatima.

a title of respect, especially for royal personages.

Nearby words

Also said, say·ed, say·id.

Origin of sayyid

1780–90; < Arabic: lord

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

Examples from the Web for sayyid

The best known was Brotherhood alumnus Sayyid Qutb, whom the Egyptian state executed in 1966.
Why the Caliphate Will Devour Its Children|Philip Jenkins|July 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
More usually written Said or Sayyid, the same as the more familiar Cid.
The Bible in Spain - Vol. 2 [of 2]|George Borrow
At that time there were excellent archer-braves; one of the most distinguished was Sayyid Muammad-i-ars.
The Bbur-nma in English|Babur, Emperor of Hindustan
His tutor, Sayyid Mamd,482 presumably was a Sha; through this he himself became infected by that heresy.
The Bbur-nma in English|Babur, Emperor of Hindustan

He now met with Sayyid Ahmad who soon acquired great influence over his new disciple.
The Faith of Islam|Edward Sell
This may be the one with which Sayyid Dakn was concerned (f. 346).
The Bbur-nma in English|Babur, Emperor of Hindustan

British Dictionary definitions for sayyid

sayyid

sayid said

/ (ˈsaɪɪd) /

noun

a Muslim claiming descent from Mohammed's grandson Husain

a Muslim honorary title

Word Origin for sayyid

C17: from Arabic: lord

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

Word Origin and History for sayyid

sayyid

also sayid, Islamic title of honor, applied to descendants of Hussein, Muhammad's grandson, 1788, from Arabic sayyid "lord, chief," perhaps literally "speaker, spokesman."