hajib
Etymology
The court title derives from Arabic الحَاجِب (al-ḥājib, “chamberlain”).
Use of the word to designate a headscarf derives from Arabic حَاجِب (ḥājib, “concealing, covering, eyebrow”), from حَجَبَ (ḥajaba, “to veil, to cover, to screen”) (whence also hijab).
hajib means an official of a Muslim court, of varied importance, initially controlling access to the caliph, but later very powerful; a chamberlain. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 87 out of 100.
Why “hajib” is a great word
HAJIB — [Noun] A chamberlain of a Muslim court who controlled access to the sovereign, a role that could expand into one of immense political power. From Arabic الحَاجِب (al-ḥājib, "chamberlain"), from the root ح ج ب (ḥ-j-b) relating to concealing or screening. Unlike a "vizier," a high minister with defined administrative duties, or a "hijab," a veil from the same root of covering, the hajib was the living gate: the shadowed figure at the curtained entrance, the lowered voice that decided which pleas would pass, the hand that opened or sealed the door. His authority was forged in that intimate space between the public clamor and the ruler's private ear—a testament that the greatest influence often resides not in the throne room, but in the antechamber just outside it.
noun
- An official of a Muslim court, of varied importance, initially controlling access to the caliph, but later very powerful; a chamberlain.“The hajib was always a man of consequence; being close to the caliph he was always in a position to give messages and ask favours and, most of all, he controlled access to his master.”