I. ˈkän, -a-, -aa(ə)-, -ȧ- noun
also cham ˈkam, -aa(ə)-
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English caan, from Middle French, of Turkic origin; akin to Jagatai khān, Turkish han prince, khan
1. : a medieval sovereign of China and ruler over the Turkish, Tatar, and Mongol tribes
at the critical moment … the great khan died — Sir Winston Churchill
2. : a local chieftain or man of rank especially in Afghanistan, Iran, and some areas of central Asia — used sometimes as a title of respect
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Arabic khān, from Persian
: a caravansary or rest house in some Asian countries
huge khans … still receive shipments of goods that wind into Aleppo by camel train — New York Times