Navab
/ˈneɪ.væb/noun
An obsolete English spelling of nawab, a Muslim provincial governor or high official in South Asia.
Did you know?The English word “nabob” developed from the same South Asian title and later became a sarcastic label for Europeans who returned from India extravagantly wealthy.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
*n-w-b
“A root associated with returning, taking someone’s place, or acting as a substitute”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
nāʾib
“A deputy, substitute, or representative”
Medieval Arabic
Arabic
nuwwāb
“Deputies or representatives; the plural form that influenced the Persian title”
Mughal Period
Persian
navāb / nawāb
“A provincial governor or high-ranking official serving under a ruler”
18th Century
English
nawab / navab
“A Muslim ruler or governor in India; Navab was an established variant spelling”
Modern English
English
navab
“An obsolete or variant form of nawab”