pasha

Meaning

Noun

• A high-ranking Turkish military officer, especially as a commander or regional governor; the highest honorary title during the Ottoman Empire.
• The Indian butterfly Herona marathus (species), family Nymphalidae.

Origin

• From Ottoman Turkish پاشا (Turkish paşa); this either from Persian پادشاه, or from Ottoman Turkish باش, or from Ottoman Turkish بچّه, this in turn from Persian بچّه. Ottoman Turkish باش + آغا has also been proposed as etymon.