kyai

English

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Noun

kyai (plural kyais)

1. A Javanese Islamic cleric or expert on Islam.
   • 2012, Charlene Tan, Islamic Education and Indoctrination: The Case in Indonesia, page 56:

     That the santri live in a boarding school where they are being supervised around the clock enhances the power of the kyai.

   • 2015, Eka Kurniawan, translated by Labodalih Sembiring, Man Tiger, Verso, page 19:

     It was there that the kyai finally pulled down the cloth, slowly, bracing himself for the shock.

Anagrams

• yaki