Nair
/ˈnʌɪə/ /ˈnɑːɪə/(also Nayar, Nâyar)
noun
A member of a traditionally matrilineal Hindu ruling caste in Kerala, India. Formerly also in extended use.
- Before the period of British administration the caste included most of the royal and noble lineages and the military, and subsequently became prominent in the professions..
adjective
Of or relating to the Nairs.
Origin
Late 16th century; earliest use found in Nicholas Lichefield (fl. 1582). From Portuguese naire from Malayalam nāyar members of ruling caste, soldiers in general, plural of nāyaṉ leader from Sanskrit nāya from nī- to lead. The origin of the some forms in -o is unclear; the earliest example is immediately after Dutch Nayros (plural), which may be from a back-formation (perhaps in Portuguese) based on Italian naeri.