Back to all words

Sheikh

2 stages from Arabic to English.

Today it means a leader in an Arab family, tribe, or Muslim community
1
Stage 1 of 2
shaykh
Arabic · medieval
"elder, leader"
literally "elder", a title of respect for a leader or scholar
2
Stage 2 of 2
sheikh
English · 1700s
"an Arab leader or head of a tribe or family"
adopted through European contact with the Arab world
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom