[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Hobson-Jobson: A Glossary of Colloquial Anglo-Indian Words and Phrases, and of Kindred Terms, Etymological, Historical, Geographical and Discursive](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.yule-burnell-1886) › c10.15837 # Hobson-Jobson: A Glossary of Colloquial Anglo-Indian Words and Phrases, and of Kindred Terms, Etymological, Historical, Geographical and Discursive c10.15837 Hobson-Jobson: A Glossary of Colloquial Anglo-Indian Words and Phrases, and of Kindred Terms, Etymological, Historical, Geographical and Discursive c10.15837 - **Language:** English ### [c10.15837](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.yule-burnell-1886.c10.15837) \*\*WOORDY-MAJOR\*\*, s. The title of a native adjutant in regiments of Indian Irregular Cavalry. Both the rationale of the compound title, and the etymology of \*wardī\*, are obscure. Platts gives Hind. \*wardī\* or \*urdī\*, ‘uniform of a soldier, badge or dress of office,’ as the first part of the compound, with a questionable Skt. etymology, \*viruda\*, ‘crying, proclaiming, a panegyric.’ But there is also Ar. \*wird\*, ‘a flight of birds,’ and then also ‘a troop or squadron,’ which is perhaps as probable. \[Others, again, as many military titles have come from S. India, connect it with Can. \*varadi\*, ‘news, an order.’\] - [Previous: c10.15836](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.yule-burnell-1886.c10.15836) - [Next: c10.15838](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.yule-burnell-1886.c10.15838) - [Up: c10](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.yule-burnell-1886.c10) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.yule-burnell-1886.c10.15837](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.yule-burnell-1886.c10.15837) · Pramāṇa