Etymology Map
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Khedive

5 stages from Old Persian to English.

Today it means the title of the viceroy of Egypt under nominal Ottoman rule from 1867 to 1914

Where does the word "khedive" come from? It comes from Old Persian khvadata-, passing through Persian, Turkish and French before entering English (1867).

1
Stage 1 of 5
khvadata-
Old Persian · ancient
"lord, master"
compound meaning "lord, created from oneself"
2
Stage 2 of 5
khidiw
Persian · medieval
"prince"
meant "prince"
3
Stage 3 of 5
khidiv
Turkish · 1800s
"viceroy"
adopted as an Ottoman administrative title
4
Stage 4 of 5
khedive
French · 1867
"viceroy of Egypt"
used for the Ottoman-appointed ruler of Egypt
5
Stage 5 of 5
khedive
English · 1867
"Turkish viceroy of Egypt"
entered English describing Egypt's Ottoman-appointed governors
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