khan

¹khan

noun \ˈkän also ˈkan\

Definition of KHAN

1

: a medieval sovereign of China and ruler over the Turkish, Tatar, and Mongol tribes

2

: a local chieftain or man of rank in some countries of central Asia

Origin of KHAN

Middle English caan, from Middle French kan, kaan, of Turkic origin; akin to Turkish han prince

First Known Use: 15th century

²khan

noun

Definition of KHAN

: a caravansary or rest house in some Asian countries

Origin of KHAN

Arabic khān

First Known Use: 1614

Rhymes with KHAN

ban, Bonn, chon, con, conn, dawn, don, Don, drawn, faun, fawn, gone, guan, Jon, maun, mon, on, pan, pawn, prawn, Shan, spawn, swan, wan, yawn, yon, yuan

khan

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Historically, the ruler or monarch of a Mongol tribe. Early on a distinction was made between the title of khan and that of khakan, or “great khan.” Later the term khan was adopted by the Seljuq and Khwarezm-Shah dynasties as a title for the highest nobility. Gradually it became an affix to the name of any Muslim property owner. Today it is often used as a surname.