xiħ

Maltese

Root
x-j-ħ
6 terms

Etymology

Inherited from Arabic شَيْخ (šayḵ).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ʃɪːħ/
• Rhymes: -ɪːħ

Adjective

xiħ (feminine singular xiħa, plural xjuħ, diminutive xwejjaħ, comparative ixjeħ or ixjaħ)

1. (of people) old, elderly

   Antonym: żagħżugħ

   Coordinate term: (of things) qadim

2. (figurative) wise

   Synonym: għaref

Usage notes

• The synonym anzjan is sometimes preferred as more polite (like English “senior citizen”), especially in official or media parlance. Nevertheless xiħ remains a common and neutral word.

Noun

xiħ m (plural xjuħ, feminine xiħa, diminutive xwejjaħ)

1. an old man

   Antonyms: żagħżugħ, (dated, male) sabi, (female) tfajla, (female) xebba

2. (figurative) an experienced person; an expert in experience

   Synonym: espert

3. (obsolete, chiefly in placenames only) an elder of a community

   Synonym: anzjan