nabob — ODE · Shobdo

nabob /ˈneɪbɒb

▸ noun

1 historical a Muslim official or governor under the Mogul empire:

the East India Company had installed a Muslim prince as the region's nabob.

2 a person of conspicuous wealth or high status:

don't forget this event, as all the nabobs will be there.

▪ historical a person who returned from India to Europe with a fortune:

these restaurants were once patronised by the old nabobs who had gone back home.

– ORIGIN from Portuguese nababo or Spanish nabab, from Urdu; see also nawab.