Sultan
/ˈsʌltən/noun
A title of authority in Muslim countries, often a sovereign or ruler.
Did you know?The term 'Sultan' comes from Arabic, meaning 'power' or 'authority', and was historically used to denote rulers who wielded absolute control, often seen as divinely sanctioned.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Arabic
Proto-Arabic
sultan
“To have power or authority.”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
سلطان (sulṭān)
“Power, authority, or dominion.”
8th Century
Arabic
سلطان (sulṭān)
“Title given to rulers or leaders, implying both political and religious authority.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
sultanus
“Adaptation of Arabic, referring to a Muslim ruler or king.”
15th Century
Old French
sultan
“Derived from Latin, used to denote a ruler in Islamic territories.”
Modern English
English
sultan
“Title used in English to refer to monarchs of Muslim states.”