nabob

Noun

nabob (plural nabobs)

1. (historical) An Indian ruler within the Mogul empire.
   • They have drained the treasuries of Nabobs, who must fill them by oppressing the industry of their subjects.1771, Henry Mackenzie, The Man of Feeling, London: Cassell, published 1886, page 151

   Synonyms:

   nawab, overling, provost, ruler

2. (broadly) Someone of great wealth or importance.
   • Mr. Glentworth had never quitted Europe, and his wealth was either good English landed property, or equally undeniable English consols; still he was a stranger, very rich, and suddenly come from abroad. Such a man was necessarily a nabob in Mr. Palmer's eyes. India had been the place for making...1838 (date written), L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter IX, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […], published 1842, →OCLC, page 114
   • Private-equity nabobs bristle at being dubbed mere financiers. Piling debt onto companies’ balance-sheets is only a small part of what leveraged buy-outs are about, they insist. Improving the workings of the businesses they take over is just as core to their calling, if not more so. Much of their...2013 June 22, “Engineers of a different kind”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8841, page 70

   Synonyms:

   mogul, tycoon, magnate, overling, provost, ruler

3. (broadly) A person with a grandiose style or manner.