noun
begum
buh-GUHM
noun
1
A title of respect for a high-ranking Muslim woman, especially in South Asia.
"The begum ruled the princely state with great skill."
How to Use Begum
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA respectful title for a Muslim woman of high social standing, mainly in South Asia.
Word Forms
begummed past tense, begums plural, Begums plural, Begums plural, begums singular
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The _____ ruled the princely state with great skill.
Etymology
Borrowed from Persian and Turkic languages into South Asian usage as a female honorific, roughly equivalent to "lady" or "madam" for women of rank.