Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
towkay. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
towkay, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
towkay in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
towkay you have here. The definition of the word
towkay will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
towkay, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From Malay tauke, from Hokkien 頭家 / 头家 (thâu-ke, “boss”).
Pronunciation
Noun
towkay (plural towkays)
- (Malaysia, Singapore) A business owner; boss (especially a Malaysian Chinese or a Singaporean Chinese).
1887, Harriet W. Daly, Digging, Squatting, and Pioneering Life in the Northern Territory of South Australia, page 352:My own experience would lead me to suggest that the Chinese immigrants should be placed under one Towkay, or head man, who would control those villages under his care.
- (Malaysia, Singapore) Term of address for such a person; sir.
Translations
Translations to be checked
References
- The Oxford English Dictionary just attributes a Malay origin, but the Collins English Dictionary (2009) states it's of Chinese origin.
- Lee Eng Kew (李永球), 2004, “誰是“頭家”？” (Who are the towkays), Sin Chew Daily.