begum

¹

[ bee-guhm, bey- ]

noun

1. (in India) a high-ranking Muslim woman, especially a widow.

begum

²

[ bih-guhm ]

verb (used with object)

, be·gummed, be·gum·ming.

1. to smear, soil, clog, etc., with or as if with gum or a gummy substance.

begum

/ ˈbeɪɡəm /

noun

1. (in Pakistan and certain other Muslim countries) a woman of high rank, esp the widow of a prince

Word History and Origins

Origin of begum¹

1625–35; < Urdu begam ≪ Turkic begim, apparently a derivative of beg. See bey

Origin of begum²

be- + gum ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of begum¹

C18: from Urdu begam , from Turkish begim ; see bey

Example Sentences

The way that her husband was snatched away from her in the middle of the night flashes in front of Mamtaj Begum’s eyes on idle afternoons.

From Time

For that reason a marriage distasteful to both had already been arranged between him and the Roshinara Begum.

From Project Gutenberg

He hath in his keeping certain papers that concern the Roshinara Begum of Delhi, and he must be made to confess their whereabouts.

From Project Gutenberg

When the Begum and the moulvie departed for Lucknow they were accompanied by nearly the whole of their retinue.

From Project Gutenberg

She left her quarters by a covered way and waited outside the Begum Kotee until a soldier found Fulton.

From Project Gutenberg

His father's ancestors were of noble descent, and those of his mother, Munny Begum, more eminently and more illustriously so.

From Project Gutenberg