vizier

or vi·zir

[ vi-zeer, viz-yer ]

noun

1. (formerly) a high official in certain Muslim countries and caliphates, especially a minister of state. Compare grand vizier.

vizier

/ vɪˈzɪə /

noun

1. a high official in certain Muslim countries, esp in the former Ottoman Empire. Viziers served in various capacities, such as that of provincial governor or chief minister to the sultan

Derived Forms

• viˈziership, noun
• viˈzierial, adjective

Other Words From

• vi·zier·ate [vi-, zeer, -it, -eyt, viz, -yer-it, -y, uh, -reyt], vi·ziership noun
• vi·zieri·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vizier¹

1555–65; < Turkish vezīr < Arabic wazīr

Word History and Origins

Origin of vizier¹

C16: from Turkish vezīr, from Arabic wazīr porter, from wazara to bear a burden

Example Sentences

He kills some number of women until his vizier presents his own daughter, Scheherazade.

From New York Times

For centuries Albanians served as grand viziers and frontier pashas inside the Ottoman Empire.

From Washington Post

Is it possible that Scheherazade and the vizier had hatched a secret plan?

From New York Times

But Europeans quickly transformed the "shah" to a king, the "vizier" to the queen, the "elephants" to bishops, the "horses" to knights, the "chariots" to castles and the "foot soldiers" to pawns.

From Salon

A hero uses the magic sword of Damascus to free a Baghdad princess from a grand vizier and his son.

From Los Angeles Times