sherif

[ she-reef ]

/ ʃɛˈrif /

noun

a governor of Mecca descended from Muhammad.

an Arab chief, prince, or ruler.

Nearby words

Also sharif, she·reef.

Origin of sherif

First recorded in 1590–1600, sherif is from the Arabic word sharīf exalted (person)

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

Examples from the Web for sherif

“This country is as divided as it has ever been,” said Sherif Taher.
Egypt’s Military Holiday Marred By Deaths|Alastair Beach|October 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
On the night of Feb. 11, 2011, Sherif Mansour walked onto his balcony, furtively lit a cigarette, and began to cry.
Freedom House NGO Worker Returns to Egypt to Face Trial|Mike Giglio|June 3, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He was a sherif, and soon converted one-half of the islanders to his own faith.
The Former Philippines thru Foreign Eyes|Toms de Comyn
The following is what a sherif asserted regarding heaven and hell.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898|Various

Just before nightfall Swani brought the small Sherif ostensibly for medicine to our tent.
Mogreb-el-Acksa|R. B. Cunninghame Graham
Once, on the river Songibusar, when we were attacking Sherif Osman, there was danger that a battery would be taken in reverse.
Jan Vedder's Wife|Amelia Edith Huddleston Barr
The Sherif depends upon the Sultan because he needs a protector, and needs his Wakaf.
The Future of Islam|Wilfred Scawen Blunt

British Dictionary definitions for sherif

sherif

shereef sharif

/ (ʃɛˈriːf) /

noun plural ashraf Islam

a descendant of Mohammed through his daughter Fatima

(formerly) the governor of Mecca

an honorific title accorded to any Muslim ruler

Word Origin for sherif

C16: from Arabic sharīf noble

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