[fair-oh, far-oh, fey-roh] 
| 1. | a title of an ancient Egyptian king. |
| 2. | (lowercase ) any person who uses power or authority to oppress others; tyrant. |
(s. pharaōn-) < Heb phārʿōh < Egyptian pr house + ʿʾ great; orig. a designation for the palace, but used to refer to the king from the time of Akhenaton (14th cent. b.c.); -h restored from Heb| Phar·aoh also phar·aoh (fâr'ō, fā'rō) n.
[Middle English Pharao, from Late Latin Pharaō, from Greek, from Hebrew par'ō, from Egyptian pr-'' : pr, house + '', great.] Phar'a·on'ic (fâr'ā-ŏn'ĭk) adj. |
The title of the kings of ancient Egypt. In the story of Joseph and his brothers, a pharaoh puts Joseph in charge of his entire kingdom. In the Book of Exodus, a pharaoh repeatedly refuses the request of Moses to let the Israelites leave the country and does not give in until after the worst of the ten plagues of Egypt.
The kings of ancient Egypt. The pharaohs headed strong governments. They are remembered for establishing extensive irrigation systems and for building as tombs the imposing pyramids, which still stand today.
Note: In the biblical account of the Exodus, a pharaoh refused to let the Israelites under Moses leave Egypt.
