sultan

[ suhl-tn ]

noun

1. the sovereign of an Islamic country.
2. (often initial capital letter) any of the former sovereigns of Turkey.
3. any absolute ruler or despot.

sultan

/ sʌlˈtænɪk; ˈsʌltən /

noun

1. the sovereign of a Muslim country, esp of the former Ottoman Empire
2. an arbitrary ruler; despot
3. a small domestic fowl with a white crest and heavily feathered legs and feet: originated in Turkey

Derived Forms

• ˈsultan-ˌlike, adjective
• ˈsultanship, noun
• sultanic, adjective

Other Words From

• sul·tan·ic [suhl-, tan, -ik], adjective
• sultan·like adjective
• sultan·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sultan¹

1545–55; < Middle French < Turkish < Arabic sulṭān sovereign

Word History and Origins

Origin of sultan¹

C16: from Medieval Latin sultānus, from Arabic sultān rule, from Aramaic salita to rule

Related Words

• czar
• dictator
• empress
• king
• monarch