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Chieftain vs Sheik - What's the difference?

chieftain | sheik | Related terms |

As nouns the difference between chieftain and sheik

is that chieftain is a leader of a clan or tribe while sheik is the leader of an Arab village, family or small tribe.

chieftain

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A leader of a clan or tribe.
  • A leader of a group, e.g. a robbers' chieftain.

    • Synonyms

    * (A very powerful person) chief, big gun, big shot, big wheel, bigwig, boss, employer, foreman, head, heid bummer, leader, mandarin, manager, mover and shaker, top banana, top dog, tycoon

    sheik

    English

    Alternative forms

    * sheikh * shaykh

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The leader of an Arab village, family or small tribe.
  • An Islamic religious clergy; the leader of an Islamic religious order.
  • (some Arab Gulf countries)
  • * 1939 , , Coming Up for Air , part 1, chapter 1:
    • When your last natural tooth goes, the time when you can kid yourself that you're a Hollywood sheik , is definitely at an end.
  • (slang) An Arab, especially one dressed in traditional clothing.

    • Usage notes

    The use for a religious leader is colloquial as a means of respect. There is no official title.

    Anagrams

    * English words not following the I before E except after C rule ----