Ba-shaw', n.

n. [Alsc. bassa; Per. bâshâ, pâshâ, governor of a province, contr. and corrupt. of bâd-shâh, pâdshâh, sovereign, king, great lord, from Per. pâd, one who preserves, powerful, and shâh, king. See PASHAW.] A title of honor in the Turkish dominions;—appropriately, the title of the prime vizier, but given to viceroys or governors of provinces, and to generals and other men of distinction. [Now usually written pasha.]