Khan

Pronunciation

• IPA: /kɑːn/
• Rhymes: -ɑːn
• Aus Homophones: carn
• US Homophones: con

Via late Middle English from Old French chan, from Medieval Latin chanis, from kan ("prince, lord")/khan, contraction of khaqan ("sovereign, ruler").

The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Clarendon Press, 1989.

Related to Mongolian ᠬᠠᠭᠠᠨ ("lord, prince").

Full definition of khan

Noun

1. after Genghis Khan, a ruler over various Turkish, Tatar and Mongol peoples in the Middle Ages
2. an Ottoman sultan
3. a noble or man of rank in various Muslim countries of Central Asia, including Afghanistan

Derived terms

• khanate

From Persian خان (xân, "caravanserai").

Noun

1. a caravanserai; a resting-place for a travelling caravan
• 1923: ‘Guess the name of that,’ she said, pointing to her delicate parts. The porter tried this name and that and ended by asking her to tell him and cease her slapping. ‘The khān of Abu-Mansur,’ she replied. — The Thousand Nights and One Night, tr. Powys Mathers

Anagrams

• ankh
• hank, Hank