Bai
/baɪ/noun
A title or term for a wealthy or influential man, especially in Central Asia.
Did you know?Bai belongs to the same old Turkic title-family as bey and beg, terms historically used for rulers, nobles, and military leaders.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Turkic
Proto-Turkic
*bäg
“Chief, lord, or powerful person”
8th–10th Century
Old Turkic
beg
“Ruler, noble, or commander”
Medieval Period
Persian
beg
“A title for a lord or provincial governor”
15th–19th Century
Ottoman Turkish
bey
“A governor, aristocrat, or military title-holder”
19th Century
Central Asian usage
bai
“A wealthy landowner or influential man”
Modern English
English
bai
“A Central Asian title or term for a rich or influential man”