khan

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Pronunciation 1.2 Etymology 1 1.2.1 Noun 1.2.1.1 Derived terms 1.3 Etymology 2 1.3.1 Noun 1.3.2 See also

[edit] English

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /kɑ:n/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[edit] Etymology 1

From Old French chan or Latin canus, from Turkic khān ‘lord, prince’ (borrowed into Arabic, Persian, Mongolian etc.).

[edit] Noun

khan (plural khans)

1. after Genghis Khan, a ruler over various Turkish, Tatar and Mongol peoples in the Middle Ages
2. an Ottoman sultan
3. a noble or man of rank in various Muslim countries of Central Asia, including Afghanistan

[edit] Derived terms

• khanate

[edit] Etymology 2

Persian خان (khān).

[edit] Noun

khan (plural khans)

1. a caravanserai; a resting-place for a travelling caravan

   • 1923: ‘Guess the name of that,’ she said, pointing to her delicate parts. The porter tried this name and that and ended by asking her to tell him and cease her slapping. ‘The khān of Abu-Mansur,’ she replied. — The Thousand Nights and One Night, tr. Powys Mathers

[edit] See also

• caravanserai