Now Hist. or arch. Also 6–7 sophie, 6–9 sophi (7 sofi). [ad. Pers. çafī (also çafawī), the surname of the ruling dynasty of Persia from c. 1500 to 1736, derived from the Arabic epithet çafī-ud-dīn ‘purity of religion,’ given to an ancestor of Ismail Safī, the founder of the dynasty. Not related to SUFI, with which it has freq. been associated.]
1. A former title or designation of the supreme ruler of Persia; the Shah. Also Grand Sophy.
α. 1539. Cromwell, in Merriman, Life & Lett. (1902), II. 218. His declaracion was … that the Sophy King of Perse had an oratour with the Turke.
1547. Boorde, Introd. Knowl., xxxvii. (1870), 214. The great Turke … hath obtayned the Sophyes lond.
1601. Shaks., Twel. N., II. v. 197. I will not giue my part of this sport for a pension of thousands to be paid from the Sophy.
1667. Lond. Gaz., No. 209/2. The Grand Sophy of Persia having observed the Grand Sultan to have his hands fully employed in the Siege of Candia.
1686. trans. Chardin’s Coronat. Solyman, 49–51. I cannot but laugh when I find in their writings the Grand Sophy, the Sophy of Persia, and the Sovereign Sophy. For the Kings of Persia are neither called Sophies in general, nor in particular.
1707. Curios. in Husb. & Gard., 216. Revenues, which that Commerce brings into the Treasury of the Sophy.
1762–71. H. Walpole, Vertue’s Anecd. Paint. (1786), II. 113. The Sophy of Persia and his court were extremely surprized at the art of engraving so hard a jewel.
1899. R. Whiteing, No. 5 John St., 299. The great tent … suggests a State pavilion of the Sophy.
transf. 1865. Kingsley, Herew., ii. Marry the Sophy of Egypt’s daughter?
β. 1549. W. Thomas, Hist. Italie, 108 b. Vsnucassan kyng of Persia (whose successour is nowe called Sophie).
1555. Eden, Decades (Arb.), 311. Ismael the Sophi and kynge of Persia.
1600. E. Blount, trans. Conestaggio, 24. The Turke against the Sophi, and the King against the Rebels in Flaunders.
1698. Fryer, Acc. E. India & P., 301. At Cormoot we met a Lion and a Spotted Deer carrying up as Presents to the Sophi from the Mogul.
1769. Robertson, Chas. V., XI. Wks. 1851, IV. 456. He had discovered a negociation which had been carried on with the sophi of Persia.
1818. Ranken, Hist. France, V. II. ii. 285. That ambitious warrior had … defeated the sophi of Persia.
1837. M. Donovan, Dom. Econ., II. 13. The sophi of Persia, his lords, and some ambassadors.
2. With a and pl. A Persian monarch or king.
1606. Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. iv. II. Magnificence, 106. Wert thou a Sophy; yet with Vertue’s luster Thou ought’st (at least) thy Greatnesse to illuster.
1636. R. Griffin, in Ann. Dubrensia (1877), 53. Grave as a Persian Sophie.
1753. Scots Mag., Jan., 2/1. The last of the ancient race of Sophys who wore the Persian crown.
1761. Ann. Reg., 147. Erivan, the ancient seat of the sophis.
1823. Byron, Juan, IX. xxxiii. Like Nadir Shah, that costive sophy.
b. transf. A ruler; a great person.
1599. Nashe, Lenten Stuffe (1871), 31. Our redoubtable sophy, of the floating kingdom of Pisces.
1606. Dekker, News fr. Hell, Wks. (Grosart), II. 95. None but fooles therefore will maruell, how I and this Grand Sophy of the whore of Babylon came to bee so familiar together.
