Shēik, n.

(sheek. The pronunciation of Arabic scholars is more nearly shāk), n. [Written also scheik, shaik, sheikh.] [Ar. sheikh, shaykh, a venerable old man, a chief, from shākha, to grow or be old.] An old man; — so called among the Arabians and Moors; hence, a chief, a lord, a man of eminence.