emir, emir, amir, ameer

[Arab. amir.] Properly sovereign, a prince. The title was instituted in A. D. 650 by Fatima, the daughter of Mohammed, and was applied to the descendants of the "Prophet." They alone were permitted to wear the green turban. In the last two forms, Amir and Ameer, it is known in English-speaking countries chiefly in connection with the Ameers of Scinde vanquished by Sir Charles Napier at the battle of Meanee, February 17, 1843, their territory being subsequently annexed to the Anglo-Indian empire. "The foremost of the band is seen An Emir by his garb of green." Byron: Giaour.