naik

noun

na·​ik
ˈnä|ik
variants or less commonly naig
|ig
 or naigue
|ˌēg
 or naique
|ˌēk
 or nayak
|yək
plural -s
1
: a leader, chief, or governor in India
—used as a title of authority or form of address
2
: a native subordinate officer in the British India army
specifically : corporal

Word History

Etymology

Hindi nāyak, from Sanskrit nāyaka, literally, leader, from nayati he leads; akin to Middle Irish nē, nīa warrior, hero, Avestan nayeiti he leads, brings, Hittite nāi- to control, lead

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naig

naik

Naikpod

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Cite this Entry

“Naik.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/naik. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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