effendi

[ ih-fen-dee ]

noun

, plural ef·fen·dis.

1. a former Turkish title of respect, especially for government officials.
2. (in eastern Mediterranean countries) a man who is a member of the aristocracy.

effendi

/ ɛˈfɛndɪ /

noun

1. (in the Ottoman Empire) a title of respect used to address men of learning or social standing
2. (in Turkey since 1934) the oral title of address equivalent to Mr

Word History and Origins

Origin of effendi¹

1605–15; < Turkish efendi < Modern Greek, Greek authentḗs doer, master. See authentic

Word History and Origins

Origin of effendi¹

C17: from Turkish efendi master, from Modern Greek aphentēs, from Greek authentēs lord, doer; see authentic

Example Sentences

“The Turkish word is ‘effendi,’ which is like ‘a gentleman,’” he said of the men.

From New York Times

The style may be Western, but Mr Erbil stress that what they are doing mixes "modernity" and cultural heritage, by harking back to the lifestyles of the traditional Kurdish landowning class, the effendis.

From BBC

When we were fairly within the pass, the zaptieh stopped, and with much gesticulation and many repetitions of the word effendi, made me understand that it was unsafe to proceed without a larger party.

From Project Gutenberg

His tongue is slow, an ill thing in barbers; moreover, he is clumsy as a camel: did he not this very morning fill the mouth of a German effendi with soap, to my everlasting shame?

From Project Gutenberg

Any slave, in however menial a position, may be promoted to the position of a kadin effendi.

From Project Gutenberg