Pasha (?), n. [Turk. pāshā, bāshā; cf. Per. bāshā, bādshāh; perh. a corruption of Per. pādishāh. Cf. Bashaw, Padishah, Shah.] An honorary title given to officers of high rank in Turkey, as to governers of provinces, military commanders, etc. The earlier form was bashaw. [Written also pacha.]
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&hand_; There are three classes of pashas, whose rank is distinguished by the number of the horsetails borne on their standards, being one, two, or three, a pasha of three tails being the highest.
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