ˈsäˌ(h)ib, ˈsȧˌ-, -(h)ēb noun
also sa·heb -ˌ(h)eb
( -s )
Etymology: Hindi ṣāḥib, literally, master, lord, from Arabic
1. : sir , master — used as a term of respect especially among Hindus and Muslims in colonial India when addressing or speaking of a European of some social status and as a general title affixed to the name or official title of a European
colonel- sahib
or affixed to the title of a man of rank
raja sahib
2. : european ; typically : a European official or settler in a largely non-European population
the prewar white sahib sat under a punkah pulled by tireless little Asians — Peggy Durdin