howadji

English edit

Alternative forms edit

howaji, howajji

Etymology edit

From Arabic خَوَاجَا (ḵawājā, “gentleman”), from Persian (xvâje, “gentleman”). The term came to be applied to merchants because they were formerly the chief travellers. Doublet of hodja.

Noun edit

howadji (plural howadjis)

(archaic) A traveller or merchant from the Middle East

References edit

“howadji”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.