sultan

[suhl-tn]

noun

1. the sovereign of an Islamic country.

2. (often initial capital letter),  any of the former sovereigns of Turkey.

3. any absolute ruler or despot.

sultan

/ sʌlˈtænɪk, ˈsʌltən /

noun

1. the sovereign of a Muslim country, esp of the former Ottoman Empire

2. an arbitrary ruler; despot

3. a small domestic fowl with a white crest and heavily feathered legs and feet: originated in Turkey

Other Word Forms

• sultan-like adjective
• sultanship noun
• sultanic adjective
• sultanlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sultan¹

1545–55; < Middle French < Turkish < Arabic sulṭān sovereign

Word History and Origins

Origin of sultan¹

C16: from Medieval Latin sultānus, from Arabic sultān rule, from Aramaic salita to rule

Example Sentences

Magyar, Orbán’s main rival in next year’s pivotal election, mocked him as a mafia boss, a Turkish sultan and Ali Baba with 40 thieves.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

She presented herself as a wealthy, illegitimate daughter of the sultan of Brunei, initially showering Mr Hornigold, his then-partner Heather Kaniuk and his friends with lavish gifts, from cars to homes.

Read more on BBC

Words such as "sultan" and "shrine" are disappearing from place names - to be replaced with terms such as "harmony" and "happiness", according to the research, which is based on China's own published data.

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Beneath a crisply tailored jacket unfolded a spectacle of billowing white printed sultan pants.

Read more on Seattle Times

But it's not like in the movies where there's just women in a tent waiting for the sultan.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• czar 
• dictator 
• empress 
• king 
• monarch