khan
1
[ kahn, kan ]
/ kɑn, kæn /
noun
(in the Altaic group of languages) a title held by hereditary rulers or tribal chiefs.
the supreme ruler of the Tatar tribes, as well as emperor of China, during the Middle Ages: a descendant of Genghis Khan.
a title of respect used in Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and other countries of Asia.
Origin of khan
1
1350–1400; Middle English
Ca(a)n, Chan ≪ Turkic
Khān, apparently contraction of
Khāgān, equivalent to Turkish
kağan ruler
Words nearby khan
Definition for khan (2 of 2)
khan
2
[ kahn, kan ]
/ kɑn, kæn /
noun
an inn or caravansary.
Origin of khan
2
1350–1400; < Arabic < Persian; replacing Middle English
alchan < Arabic (
al the +
khān)
Example sentences from the Web for khan
British Dictionary definitions for khan (1 of 3)
khan
1
/ (kɑːn) /
noun
- (formerly) a title borne by medieval Chinese emperors and Mongol and Turkic rulers: usually added to a nameKublai Khan
- such a ruler
a title of respect borne by important personages in Afghanistan and central Asia
Word Origin for khan
C14: from Old French
caan, from Medieval Latin
caanus, from Turkish
khān, contraction of
khāqān ruler
British Dictionary definitions for khan (2 of 3)
khan
2
/ (kɑːn) /
noun
an inn in Turkey, certain Arab countries, etc; caravanserai
Word Origin for khan
C14: via Arabic from Persian