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sheikh

a leader in an Arab family, tribe, or Muslim community

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Where does the word "sheikh" come from? It comes from Arabic shaykh, and was adopted directly into English (1700s).

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Where does the word "sheikh" come from? It comes from Arabic shaykh, and was adopted directly into English (1700s).

Sheikh’s story begins in Arabic: shaykh meant “elder, leader.” Literally "elder", a title of respect for a leader or scholar. It reached English by 1700s as sheikh. Arabic 'old man, elder'. Today, sheikh means a leader in an Arab family, tribe, or Muslim community.

  1. Stage 1 · Arabic · medieval shaykh "elder, leader", literally "elder", a title of respect for a leader or scholar.
  2. Stage 2 · English · 1700s sheikh "an Arab leader or head of a tribe or family", Arabic 'old man, elder'.

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