tribal sheik
1
8.5
- noun
- /ˈtraɪbəl ʃeɪk/
- The influence of the tribal sheik was evident during the negotiation for land rights.
Examples
-
Tribal sheiks wield great influence in local affairs, and tribal membership plays a major role in determining political power.
Academic text (2005) -
The tribal sheik welcomed the guests to the village with a traditional ceremony.
-
As the appointed tribal sheik, he was responsible for settling disputes among the community members.
Synonyms
45
7.5
A respected older person who leads an Arab tribe or village
26
7.0
A respected man who leads an Arab family, village, or tribe
25
8.1
A Muslim ruler in parts of Africa or Arabia
17
7.9
A person who leads a group like a tribe or clan
6
4.2
A leader of a Native American tribe
4
4.7
A person who leads a group of people in a traditional community
3
7.3
A man who leads a village or tribe and makes decisions for the group
1
8.7
A person who leads an Arab family group or village and makes important community decisions
1
9.9
A person elected to lead a village or small community
1
8.9
A tribal leader who makes decisions and cares for a clan or community
1
6.7
A person who leads an Arab village, tribe, or family and has power in the community
1
9.1
A respected Muslim religious teacher and community leader
1
8.9
A leader of a Native American tribe who guides the people
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly and transparently derived from combining 'tribal' (pertaining to a tribe) with 'sheik' (an elder or chief), so a learner who knows both words will infer 'leader/elder of a tribe'. This is a straightforward adjective+noun composition that follows common cross-linguistic patterns and is therefore predictable to a B1 learner.
Etymology
Tribal sheik comes from the words tribal, from the word 'tribe', and sheik, an Arabic word for an older man who led a group. Picture an elder sitting in a tent while villagers come to him for advice and decisions, and that's why tribal sheik means 'the leader' or 'chief' of a tribe or village.