1. A Saracen or Arab prince, or governor of a province; a military commander.
1632. Lithgow, Trav. (1682), pt. V. 195. An Emeer, or hereditary Prince. Ibid. (1632), Totall Discourse, 373. Having an Emeere of their owne, being subiect to none, but to his owne passions.
1686. Lond. Gaz., No. 2177/1. An Emir or Prince of the Arabs … has taken the field with some Troops.
1781. Gibbon, Decl. & F., III. lxiv. 616. The humble title of emir was no longer suitable to the Ottoman greatness.
1852. Miss Yonge, Cameos (1877), I. xxiv. 185. Saladin … sent an emir to the camp with presents.
1848. Lane, Arab. Nts., I. 87. The Emeers and Wezeers.
2. A title of honor borne by the descendants of Mohammed.
1625. Purchas, Pilgrims, II. 1295. Mahomets … Kinsmen in greene Shashes, who are called Emers.
1688. Lond. Gaz., No. 2322/3. 56 Emirs … with green Shashes.
1708. Kersey, Emir (among the Turks) a Lord, especially any one descended from the false prophet Mahomet.
1721–1800. in Bailey.
1813. Byron, Giaour, xii. The foremost of the band is seen An Emir by his garb of green.
