vizier

noun

Etymology: From Ottoman Turkish وزیر (vezir) (Turkish vezir) (via French vizir), from Arabic وَزِير (wazīr, “helper, aide, minister”, literally “one who bears (the burden of office)”). Doublet of wazir.

1. A high-ranking official or minister in an Islamic government, especially in the Ottoman Empire.

   “Today, Jews celebrate the holiday of Purim, a festival of revelry that commemorates their deliverance from an ancient genocidal plot. […] Traditionally, a scroll containing that book is read twice over the holiday, with listeners making noise to drown out the name of the story’s villain, Haman, a vizier who manipulated the Persian king into nearly eradicating the Jews.”

2. The highest-ranking official or minister in ancient Egypt or Ebla; a chief administrator or a chancellor.
3. An ancient Mesopotamian 𒈛 (sukkal).

   “As Inanna prepares to descend she fastens the seven divine laws to her side, and as she walks toward the netherworld she speaks to her vizier, Ninshubur.”

4. A vicegerent, viceroy.
5. A fairy chess piece that can only be moved one space up, down, left or right.