sherif

American  

[she-reef] / ʃɛˈrif /

Also shereef;

noun

1. a governor of Mecca descended from Muhammad.

2. an Arab chief, prince, or ruler.

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sherif British  

/ ʃɛˈriːf /

noun

1. a descendant of Mohammed through his daughter Fatima

2. (formerly) the governor of Mecca

3. an honorific title accorded to any Muslim ruler

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Etymology

Origin of sherif

First recorded in 1590–1600, sherif is from the Arabic word sharīf “exalted (person)”

Example Sentences

Not long after, the sherif took a straw poll.

From The Guardian • Jan. 7, 2016

Reluctantly, the Trib shot down the sherif and later sank the frater.

From Time Magazine Archive

I married the daughter of an old sherif, and became the recognized chief of my section of the tribe.

From Time Magazine Archive

‘This seven yere, by dere worthy God, Ne yede I this fast on fote; I make myn avowe to God, thou proudë sherif, It is not for thy gode.’

From Ballads of Robin Hood and other Outlaws Popular Ballads of the Olden Times - Fourth Series by Sidgwick, Frank

I would rather,” he concluded, “pay a fine to the sherif than receive a favour from the Pasha.”

From Travels in Arabia; comprehending an account of those territories in Hedjaz which the Mohammedans regard as sacred by Burckhardt, John Lewis