sheik

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun the leader of an Arab village or family
  2. noun a man who is much concerned with his dress and appearance

Etymology

From Arabic شَيْخ (šayḵ, “elder”). Sense 4 (“a romantic lover”) is from the 1921 film The Sheik.

In classic literature

Synonyms

tribal sheik, sheikh, tribal sheikh, Arab chief

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