khan

¹

[ kahn, kan ]

noun

1. (in the Altaic group of languages) a title held by hereditary rulers or tribal chiefs.
2. the supreme ruler of the Tatar tribes, as well as emperor of China, during the Middle Ages: a descendant of Genghis Khan.
3. a title of respect used in Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and other countries of Asia.

khan

²

[ kahn, kan ]

noun

1. an inn or caravansary.

khan

¹

/ kɑːn /

noun

1. an inn in Turkey, certain Arab countries, etc; caravanserai

Khan

²

/ kɑːn /

noun

1. KhanImran See Imran Khan

khan

³

/ kɑːn /

noun

1. 1. (formerly) a title borne by medieval Chinese emperors and Mongol and Turkic rulers: usually added to a name

      Kublai Khan

   2. such a ruler
2. a title of respect borne by important personages in Afghanistan and central Asia

Word History and Origins

Origin of khan¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English Ca(a)n, Chan, ultimately from Turkic Khān, apparently contraction of Khāgān, equivalent to Turkish kağan “ruler”

Origin of khan²

1350–1400; < Arabic < Persian; replacing Middle English alchan < Arabic ( al the + khān )

Word History and Origins

Origin of khan¹

C14: via Arabic from Persian

Origin of khan²

C14: from Old French caan, from Medieval Latin caanus, from Turkish khān, contraction of khāqān ruler

Example Sentences

Her words contrast with those of Labour London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who called Trump "racist", "sexist" and a "homophobe" in an interview in May and urged his party to "call him out".

From BBC

This all depends on the viewpoint of FTC Chair Lina Khan, who is reportedly more anti-business than many Democratic Party donors are comfortable with.

From Slate

“But not before spending a year demonizing us, demonizing the press and putting this target on us,” Khan said, pointing out that the group received numerous threats after being singled out in public comments by L.A.

From Los Angeles Times

Vance and his fellow “Khanservatives,” the aggressively pro-competition Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan is unlikely to last in her role.

From Slate

Trump is also expected to part ways with Lina Khan, current head of the Federal Trade Commission, who is known for her anti-monopoly views and is blamed for casting a chill on deal-making, a key business for banks.

From BBC

Related Words

• czar
• emperor
• king
• monarch
• shah
• sultan