Forms: 6 by(e, 7 beye, bei, 7– bey. [a. Osmanli bey ‘prince, governor,’ mod. pronunciation of beg: see BEG sb.]
A Turkish governor of a province or district: also a title of rank.
1599. Hakluyt, Voy., II. 168. The By who is the gouernour of the Iland. Ibid., II. I. 176. You goe to the Bye, onely for that he will inquire newes of you.
1649. Alcoran, A iv b. Bashaws, or Vice-Roys, Beyes, or Governors.
1687. Rycaut, Hist. Turks, I. 250. Letters sent to the young Bei at Tunis.
1768. Hist. Europe, in Ann. Reg., 27/2. The Basha of Bosnia being joined by the Bey of Romelia.
1813. Byron, Br. Abydos, II. xxi. And wouldst thou save that haughty Bey?
Hence Beydom, Beyship.
1860. Tristram, Gt. Sahara, ii. 37. The semi-independent beydom of Tittery.
1867. Standard, 2 March. We … kept our remarks to his titles, his colonelcy, and his beyship.
