1. Muslim ruler: the sovereign ruler of an Islamic country, especially formerly the head of the Ottoman Empire
2. powerful and domineering man: a man who is powerful in some sphere of activity, especially one who behaves in a domineering or tyrannical fashion
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[Mid-16th century. Directly or via French< medieval Latin sultanus< Arabic sulṭān "ruler, power" < Aramaic saliṭa "rule"]
