sahib

sa·hib

(sä′hĭb, -ĭb, säb)

1. Used as a form of address for a man in South Asia.

2. A European man in colonial India.

3. A male mountaineer employing Sherpas or porters in the Himalayas.

[Hindi and Urdu sāhab, master, from Arabic ṣāḥib, companion, master, participle of ṣaḥiba, to become friends; see ṣḥb in Semitic roots.]

sahib

(ˈsɑːhɪb) or

saheb

(in India) a form of address or title placed after a man's name or designation, used as a mark of respect

[C17: from Urdu, from Arabic çāhib, literally: friend]

sa•hib

(ˈsɑ ɪb, -ib)

n.

(in colonial India) sir; master: a term of respect used in addressing or referring to a European.

[1690–1700; < Urdu < Arabic ṣāḥib master, literally, friend]

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

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Noun

sahib - formerly a term of respect for important white Europeans in colonial India; used after the name

European - a native or inhabitant of Europe

memsahib - a woman sahib

Translations

sahíb

sahib

[ˈsɑːhɪb] N (India)

1. → señor m
Smith Sahib → (el) señor Smith

2. (hum) → caballero m
pukka sahib → caballero m de verdad

sahib

n → Sahib m

sahib

[ˈsɑːhɪb] n → sahib m inv

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References in classic literature ?

Now those foolish hunters, whose pay is less than my pay, have spoken to Petersen Sahib of the matter.

They have said my name to Petersen Sahib, and perhaps--and perhaps--and perhaps--who knows?

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She had not wanted a little girl at all, and when Mary was born she handed her over to the care of an Ayah, who was made to understand that if she wished to please the Mem Sahib she must keep the child out of sight as much as possible.

The woman looked frightened, but she only stammered that the Ayah could not come and when Mary threw herself into a passion and beat and kicked her, she looked only more frightened and repeated that it was not possible for the Ayah to come to Missie Sahib.

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Ressaidar Sahib, what the devil made you play that kicking pig of a pony in the last ten minutes?

Thus he spoke in the vernacular: - "Colonel Sahib and officers of this regiment.

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I was minded to shoot him, sahib, but not to death.

Oh, sahib, the man betrayed me; the heifer's tail waved in the moonlight, and I had my knife.

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There's a Sahib come to call on me, an' that's more than he'll iver do for you onless you run

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The Sahib awaits you," said he, and even as he spoke there came a high piping voice from some inner room.

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That is the Government's house and there is no idolatry in it, but only a Sahib with a white beard.