Baginda

/bɑːɡɪnˈdɑː/ noun

Definition

A Malay or Indonesian royal title meaning 'Your Majesty' or used to address a king or high-ranking royal personage.

Etymology

From Malay/Indonesian 'baginda,' likely from Sanskrit 'bhagavantah' (blessed, venerable), filtered through centuries of Southeast Asian court tradition and Islamic sultanate governance.

Kelly Says

Baginda is still used today in Malaysia and Brunei to address the Sultan—it's one of few Sanskrit words that survived colonialism and modern change because it's literally embedded in how you address royalty!

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