noun
desai
noun
1
Historically in western and southern India, a local official or hereditary chief in charge of a district.
"The desai collected taxes on behalf of the regional ruler."
name
1
A common surname of Gujarati origin, still widespread among families from Gujarat and Maharashtra.
"Her professor, Dr. Desai, specialized in economics."
How to Use Desai
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA historical title for a local Indian official, and today a common surname.
Word Forms
desais plural, Desais plural
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The _____ collected taxes on behalf of the regional ruler.
Etymology
From Marathi/Gujarati desai, meaning "leader of a village or district."