sultan
[suhl-tn]
- the sovereign of an Islamic country.
- (often initial capital letter) any of the former sovereigns of Turkey.
- any absolute ruler or despot.
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Origin of sultan
1545–55; < Middle French < Turkish < Arabic sulṭān sovereign
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for sultan
Contemporary Examples
Ricky Gervais, the sultan of scorn, uttered that cheeky bit while emceeing the Golden Globes ceremony a few years back.
The Golden Globes Sobers Up (Sort Of): Years of Ridicule and Bribery Rumors Scares HFPA StraightMarlow Stern
December 11, 2014
As a teenager, I was the mistress of his brother—who ‘gave’ me as a gift to the sultan.
And yet it is the privilege of the prince and the sultan to misbehave.
At the time, the sultan was the wealthiest man in the world.
Just two weeks later, the Sultan issued his decree that shariah, Islamic law, would be the new law of the land.
Historical Examples
The interview with the Sultan was the last, and was interesting and characteristic.
His firmness prevailed, and the Sultan agreed to take what he offered.
Cameos from English History, from Rollo to Edward IICharlotte Mary Yonge
"The nephew of the Sultan, Monsieur—" he answered, instantly.
The UnderdogF. Hopkinson Smith
The mother of the sultan sent him a box, set with diamonds, valued at L1000.
The Life of Horatio Lord NelsonRobert Southey
My dear Evelyn, you are born to spoil every one—from Sultan to Aubrey.
Alice, or The Mysteries, CompleteEdward Bulwer-Lytton
sultan
- the sovereign of a Muslim country, esp of the former Ottoman Empire
- an arbitrary ruler; despot
- a small domestic fowl with a white crest and heavily feathered legs and feet: originated in Turkey
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Word Origin
C16: from Medieval Latin sultānus, from Arabic sultān rule, from Aramaic salita to rule
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for sultan
n.
1550s, from Middle French sultan "ruler of Turkey" (16c.), from Arabic sultan "ruler, king, queen, power, dominion," from Aramaic shultana "power," from shelet "have power." His wife, mother, daughter, concubine, or sister is a sultana.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper