Raïs
/raˈiːs/noun
A title formerly used for a Muslim chief, leader, or ship’s captain, especially in North Africa and the Ottoman world.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Arabic raʾīs, “chief” or “leader,” formed from raʾs, “head”—the same body-part metaphor behind calling someone the head of an organization.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Arabic
Arabic
رَأْس (raʾs)
“Head; the top or foremost part”
Medieval Arabic
Arabic
رَئِيس (raʾīs)
“Chief, leader, or principal person—literally one who is the “head””
Ottoman Period
Ottoman Turkish
Reis
“Chief, commander, or ship’s captain”
16th–17th Century
French
raïs
“North African or Ottoman chief; especially a corsair or naval captain”
18th Century
English
rais
“A Muslim chief or leader, often specifically a North African ship captain”
Modern English
English
raïs
“A chiefly historical title for a Muslim leader or captain”
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