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oba

[ aw-buh ]
/ ˈɔ bə /
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noun

a hereditary tribal ruler among various peoples in the Benin region of western Africa.

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Origin of oba

First recorded in 1900–05, oba is from the Edo word ɔ́bá

Words nearby oba

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for oba

  • The “Oba-Mao” T-shirts on souvenir stands around town were sellouts and his entourage snarled traffic for miles.

    What the Chinese Heard|Carolynne Wheeler|November 18, 2009|DAILY BEAST
  • Yoritomo, having been defeated in a battle against Oba Kage-chika, was forced to retreat with six of his followers.

    Myths & Legends of Japan|F. Hadland (Frederick Hadland) Davis
  • Oba Kagetoki departed, none too pleased with the mission, for he had once been on friendly terms with Yoritomo.

    Myths & Legends of Japan|F. Hadland (Frederick Hadland) Davis

British Dictionary definitions for oba

oba
/ (ˈɔːbɑː, -bə) /

noun

(in W Africa) a Yoruba chief or ruler
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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