1
Stage 1 of 3
sahib
Arabic · medieval
"friend, master"
from sahiba, "he accompanied"; originally meant "friend, companion," later "master"
2
Stage 2 of 3
sahib
Hindi/Urdu · 1500s
"master, lord"
adopted as a term of respect for a person of rank
3
Stage 3 of 3
sahib
English · 1670s
"sir, gentleman"
used in colonial India as a respectful title for Europeans
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