bey

[ bey ]

noun

, plural beys.

1. a provincial governor in the Ottoman Empire.
2. (formerly) a title of respect for Turkish dignitaries.
3. (formerly) the title of the ruler of Tunis or Tunisia.

bey

/ beɪ /

noun

1. (in the Ottoman Empire) a title given to senior officers, provincial governors, certain other officials or nobles, and (sometimes) Europeans
2. (in modern Turkey) a title of address, corresponding to Mr

Word History and Origins

Origin of bey¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Turkish, by-form of earlier beg, Old Turkic beg “subordinate chief, head of a clan,” perhaps from a Middle Chinese word akin to Chinese bǎi “hundred” (Guangdong diaect baak )

Word History and Origins

Origin of bey¹

C16: Turkish: lord

Example Sentences

The early-signing period is 300 days away — a long time to keep the marauders at bey.

From Seattle Times

From the moment each hot and hopeful foreigner sets foot in the United States, the pair has 90 days to get married, or international bey has to return home.

From Salon

“It’s curved like a cooking pot with a floating dot. You call it bey.”

From Literature

The use of encryption should be mainly to keep common criminals at bey, and maybe some forms of organized crime.

From New York Times

As he sank to his knees, still he shook his head, denying her, denying bey power, denying her magic, de-nying her god.

From Literature