dey

noun

ˈdā

: a ruling official of the Ottoman Empire in northern Africa

Word History

Etymology

French, from Turkish dayı, literally, maternal uncle

First Known Use

1659, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of dey was in 1659

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Dey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dey. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

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