dahabeah

or da·ha·bee·yah, da·ha·bi·ah

[ dah-huh-bee-uh ]

noun

1. a large boat used on the Nile as a houseboat or for conveying passengers.

dahabeah

/ ˌdɑːhəˈbiːə /

noun

1. a houseboat used on the Nile

Word History and Origins

Origin of dahabeah¹

First recorded in 1840–50, dahabeah is from the Egyptian Arabic word dahabīyah

Word History and Origins

Origin of dahabeah¹

from Arabic dhahabīyah, literally: the golden one (that is, gilded barge)

Example Sentences

The modern dahabeah is often made of iron, draws about 2 ft. of water, and is provided with one very large and one small sail.

From Project Gutenberg

Until a few years age the tourist going up the Nile had to take a dahabeah.

From Project Gutenberg

The dahabeah moves only when the wind is in the right direction, and to go from Cairo to Assouan requires the greater part of a lifetime.

From Project Gutenberg

When a traveller goes aboard a dahabeah he tears up the calendar and lets his watch run down.

From Project Gutenberg

At one time, the only way of going up the Nile was by the dahabeah, a kind of yacht fitted up for the convenience of travellers, an expensive and dilatory mode of conveyance. 

From Project Gutenberg