Ottoman

[ ot-uh-muhn ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the Ottoman Empire.
2. of or relating to the lands, peoples, and possessions of the Ottoman Empire.

noun

, plural Ot·to·mans.

1. a Turk.
2. a Turk of the family or tribe of Osman.
3. (lowercase) a cushioned footstool.
4. (lowercase) a low cushioned seat without back or arms.
5. (lowercase) a kind of divan or sofa, with or without a back.
6. (lowercase) a corded silk or rayon fabric with large cotton cord for filling.

ottoman

¹

/ ˈɒtəmən /

noun

1. 1. a low padded seat, usually armless, sometimes in the form of a chest
   2. a cushioned footstool
2. a corded fabric

Ottoman

²

/ ˈɒtəmən /

adjective

1. history of or relating to the Ottomans or the Ottoman Empire
2. denoting or relating to the Turkish language

noun

1. a member of a Turkish people who invaded the Near East in the late 13th century

Other Words From

• Otto·man·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Ottoman¹

1575–85; < French < Italian ottomano, after the founder of the empire ( Arabic ʿuthmān ); Ottoman defs 5, 6, 7, 8 < French ottomane (feminine)

Word History and Origins

Origin of Ottoman¹

C17: from French ottomane, feminine of Ottoman

Origin of Ottoman²

C17: from French, via Medieval Latin, from Arabic Othmāni Turkish, from Turkish Othman Osman I

Example Sentences

The attack, which also destroyed a centuries-old Ottoman building, highlighted what some archaeologists say is the risk of irreparable damage to historical sites across Lebanon from the current war between Israel and Hezbollah.

From BBC

Also missing is an Ottoman era market – the heart of Nabatieh – which was destroyed on the same day.

From BBC

They fled to the Ottoman Empire — Turkey and Greece…that’s where they settled.

From Salon

Many are descendants of those who fled the 1915 campaign by Ottoman Turks in which some 1.5 million Armenians died in massacres, deportations and forced marches.

From Seattle Times

The partition plan was devised by the British government, which had administered Palestine since the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, and a special committee of the United Nations, a brand new global entity.

From Salon