: a leader, chief, or governor in India—used as a title of authority or form of address
2
: a native subordinate officer in the British India army
specifically: corporal
Word History
Etymology
Hindi nāyak, from Sanskrit nāyaka, literally, leader, from nayati he leads; akin to Middle Irish nē, nīa warrior, hero, Avestan nayeiti he leads, brings, Hittite nāi- to control, lead