Plural of 'hakeem' (also spelled 'hakim'), referring to Islamic physicians, wise men, or rulers, particularly in South Asian and Middle Eastern contexts.
From Arabic 'ḥakīm' meaning 'wise man' or 'physician,' from 'ḥakama' (to be wise). The term was used across Islamic civilizations and entered English through colonial and medical history.
In medieval Islamic medicine, hakeems were preserving and advancing medical knowledge while Europe was in the Dark Ages—they created hospitals, pharmacies, and medical schools!
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.