A high-ranking political advisor or minister in some Muslim countries, especially in the former Ottoman Empire. A chief minister or counselor to a ruler.
From Arabic 'wazīr' meaning helper or burden-bearer, derived from 'wazara' (to bear a burden). The word entered English through Turkish during Ottoman times, around the 16th century.
The word literally means 'one who bears burdens' in Arabic, reflecting the enormous responsibility these officials carried in running vast empires. The Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire was essentially a prime minister who could be executed if he failed - talk about job pressure!
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