begum
1
9.9
- noun
- /bɪˈɡʌm/
- Indian
- With grace and poise, Begum Jan addressed the gathering of esteemed guests.
- Begum Jan
- Amira Begum
- Nawab and his Begum
Examples
-
With the fan gently rotating on the ceiling, Begum Jan always covered herself with a soft wrap.
Fiction book (1993) -
Today there was another tiff between Begum Jan and Rabbo.
Fiction book (1993) -
Thank God Begum madam you are here.
-
"For me, you should know what a woman wants," Amira Begum said.
Fiction book (1995) -
And, Begum Sahiba, I beg you once more not to drink water out of a tap.
-
Every day, Amira Begum slipped out into the garden as she was getting ready to cook.
Fiction book (1995) -
When I saw Begum Jan, she was in her early forties.
Fiction book (1993) -
Whenever I sat down with Begum Jan, my eyes were riveted.
Fiction book (1993) -
After much ado and ministration, Begum Jan regained consciousness.
Fiction book (1993) -
The funeral was small because Sultan and Amira Begum were childless, and Sultan didn't have any relatives.
Fiction book (1995)
Synonyms
30
6.9
A woman given an official title for important public service
1
9.9
A respected woman who is the wife of an Arab tribal or royal leader
Surface Forms
Etymology
Begum comes from an old Turkish and Persian word beg or bey, meaning 'chief' or 'lord', with a feminine ending -um that made it mean a woman of rank. So a begum is a noble woman or the wife of a leader, which is why the word is used as a respectful title.