mehmandar

English

Etymology

Persian مهماندار (mehmândâr), compound of مهمان (mehmân, “guest”) and دار (-dâr, “keeper, holder, one who has”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈmeɪməndɑː/

Noun

mehmandar (plural mehmandars)

1. An official courier appointed to escort an important traveller in Persian-speaking countries and the Indian subcontinent.
   • 1974, Guy Davenport, Tatlin!:

     His mehmandar stood by, fresh as a clover from their walk, his arms crossed on his Aiantian chest.