khidmatgar

[ kid-muht-gahr ]

noun

1. (in India) a waiter.

Word History and Origins

Origin of khidmatgar¹

1755–65; < Urdu < Persian, equivalent to khidmat service (< Arabic khidmah ) + -gār agent suffix

Example Sentences

THE first twenty-five stories in this book were told me at Calcutta and Simla by two Ayahs, Dunkní and Múniyá, and by Karím, a Khidmatgar.

From Project Gutenberg

There was a bright coal fire in the stove, and the khidmatgar put the kettle upon it.

From Project Gutenberg

The khidmatgar died soon after the Mutiny, but two of his brothers were afterwards in my service; one, who was with me during the Lushai expedition and the whole of the Afghan war, never left me for more than twenty years, and we parted with mutual regret at Bombay on board the P. and O. steamer in which I took my final departure from India in April, 1893.

From Project Gutenberg

We walk upon cool matting; we recline upon long-armed chairs; low and heavy punkahs swing overhead; a sweet breathing of wet khaskhas grass comes sobbing out of the thermantidote; and a gigantic but gentle khidmatgar is always at our elbow with long glasses on a silver tray.

From Project Gutenberg

Roberts, with bare feet and a rope round his neck, comes forward, performs Kadambosi and presents the keys of Sherpur to the Gryphon, who hands them graciously to his Extra Assistant Deputy Khidmatgar General.

From Project Gutenberg