ə̇ˈfendē, eˈ-, -di noun
( -s )
Etymology: Turkish efendi, from New Greek aphentēs, alteration of Greek authentēs murderer, master, doer — more at authentic
1. : master , sir — used in Turkey until 1935 as a title of respect especially for a state official but often as a courtesy title for an educated man or a man of the upper classes
2.
a. : one of a class of feudal landowners in an eastern Mediterranean country ; especially : an Arab landowner
b. : a member of the upper classes or an educated man in such a country
3. : a white-collar worker in an eastern Mediterranean or especially an Arab country