"begum" Natural Recordings by Native Speakers
"Begum" is a title used for a noble or high-born woman, particularly in South Asia, especially in Muslim societies. It was often used to address or refer to queens, princesses, or wives of rulers. In some contexts, it can also be used as a courtesy title for respected or elderly women.
Begum is an honorific title used for Muslim women, especially in South Asia. Here are five usage examples:
1. Historical Reference: Begum Samru, born Zeb-un-Nissa, was a prominent Indian ruler in the 18th century who controlled the Fatehpur Sikri district.
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- Begum Samru, known for her military prowess, was one of the few female rulers in 18th-century India.
2. Royalty: In the Mughal Empire, Begums held significant positions as queens or princesses.
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- Empress Nur Jahan, wife of Emperor Jahangir, was a powerful Begum who influenced the governance of the Mughal Empire.
3. Contemporary Usage: The term is still used to address or refer to high-born or influential Muslim women.
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- Begum Bilqis Bano, a notable activist from India, fought for justice for the victims of the 2002 Gujarat riots.
4. Literature: Begums are featured in various literary works, reflecting their cultural significance.
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- In Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Book," the character Mother Wolf is referred to as "Mother Begum" by the other animals.
5. Films and Media: Begums have been portrayed in movies and television, often depicting their regal status.
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- The Netflix series "Becoming Elizabeth" includes a character named Begum Scott, a fictional representation of a powerful Muslim woman in Elizabethan England.
The word "beguilement" refers to the act of charming, deceiving, or captivating someone, often in a way that leads them to be misled or diverted from reality. It can also imply the state of being beguiled, which means to be enchanted or entranced by something or someone.
A "beguiler" is someone or something that deceives or entices others through charm, flattery, or cunning, often leading them astray or causing them to be misled.
"Beguilers" refers to people who deceive or entice others through charm, flattery, or cunning, often leading them astray or manipulating their emotions or beliefs. They have the ability to captivate and mislead someone, sometimes with harmful intentions or to gain an advantage.
The word "beguiles" means to charm, deceive, or entice someone in a captivating or misleading way. It often implies using wit, beauty, or cunning to divert someone's attention or to deceive them.
Beguiling means charming or captivating in a way that deceives or ensnares someone, often causing them to be misled or enchanted. It can describe something or someone that is alluring but potentially misleading or deceptive.
The word "beguilingly" is an adverb that means in a way that is charming, attractive, or captivating to the point of misleading or deceiving someone. It often describes something or someone that has a deceptive appeal or allure. For example, a statement or appearance might be beguilingly enticing but ultimately deceptive or false.
A beguinage is a community or settlement of beguines, which were Christian laywomen who lived in semi-monastic conditions without taking formal vows. Beguines were active primarily in the Middle Ages across Europe, particularly in the Low Countries. They lived in communal houses, called beguinages, where they devoted themselves to religious practices, education, and charitable works while also engaging in various trades and professions.
The Beguines were a Christian lay religious order for women that emerged in the 12th and 13th centuries in the Low Countries (modern-day Belgium, Netherlands, and northern France). They were not nuns but lived in communal settings, known as beguinages, where they dedicated themselves to prayer, charity, and education while maintaining their independence and ability to leave the order if they chose. Beguines played an important role in providing social services and education during the Middle Ages without taking formal vows.