bwana

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English

Etymology

Borrowed from Swahili bwana (master), from Arabic أَبُونَا (ʔabūnā, our father). Doublet of abbot.

Pronunciation

Noun

bwana (plural bwanas)

  1. (slang) Big boss, important person.

Usage notes

Not always used as a favorable term.

Anagrams

Anguthimri

Noun

bwana

  1. (Mpakwithi) bream

References

  • Terry Crowley, The Mpakwithi dialect of Anguthimri (1981), page 185

Chichewa

Etymology

Borrowed from Swahili bwana (master), from Arabic أَبُونَا (ʔabūnā, our father).

Pronunciation

Noun

bwána class 1a (plural abwána class 2)

  1. boss, master

Italian

Noun

bwana m (invariable)

  1. bwana

Old Sundanese

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Sanskrit भुवन (bhuvana, the world).

Noun

bwana

  1. the world
    Synonym: dunya
    • c. 14th century, Astana Gede Inscription:
      ...pakena gawé rahayu pakeun heubeul jaya dina buana.
      ... should do good in order to prosper long in this world.

Descendants

  • Sundanese: ᮘᮥᮃᮔ (buana, continent)

Swahili

Swahili Wikipedia has an article on:
Wikipedia sw

Alternative forms

  • (abbreviation) Bw.

Etymology

From Arabic أَبُونَا (ʔabūnā, our father).

Pronunciation

Noun

bwana class V (plural mabwana class VI)

  1. master, lord
  2. mister, Mr.
  3. boss
  4. husband

Coordinate terms

Descendants