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bey

noun
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\ ˈbā How to pronounce bey (audio) \

Definition of bey

1a : a provincial governor in the Ottoman Empire
b : the former native ruler of Tunis or Tunisia
2 —used as a courtesy title in Turkey and Egypt

First Known Use of bey

1537, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for bey

Turkish, gentleman, chief

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Cite this Entry

“Bey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bey. Accessed 3 Jun. 2020.

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