Definition of: sultan

(sul′tən) noun
1. The ruler of a Moslem country.
2. A gallinule with deep–blue or purple plumage and white lower tail coverts. Ionornis martinica is the purple gallinule or sultan of the warmer parts of America.
3. A small white–crested variety of the domestic fowl, originating in Turkey, having heavily feathered legs and feet.
4. Formerly, any ruler.
—the Sultan The title of the sovereign of Turkey: office abolished, 1922. [<F <Med. L sultanus <Arabic sulṭān a sovereign, dominion]