ˈnāˌbäb noun
( -s )
Etymology: Hindi nawwāb, nawāb, nabāb, from Arabic nuwwāb, plural of nā'ib vice-regent, governor
1. : a native deputy or viceroy in India : a governor of a province of the Mogul empire
2.
a. : one who returns to Europe from the East with great riches
b. : man of great wealth
c. : a man of unusual prominence in a particular field
these scientific nabobs
— sometimes a generalized expression of disapproval