[a. Urdū bībī lady, from Pers., orig. Eastern Turki bībī ‘lady, lawful wife.’] Hindustani name for a lady. (Now superseded in application to European ladies by ‘Mem-sāhib,’ but applied to Englishwomen of lower rank, to a (native) mistress, etc.)
1816. ‘Quiz,’ Grand Master, XI. 34. Its oppressive beams had made Buff’los and beebees seek the shade.
a. 1847. Mrs. Sherwood, Lady of Manor, V. xxix. 96. Being the burree beebee [chief lady] of the night, I moved for an adjournment.
