chaprasi

plural chaprasis · alternative chaprassi · alternative chaprassie · alternative chuprassi · alternative chuprassie · alternative chuprassy

1. IndiaAn official of some kind, especially an important attendant or messenger in the household of an Indian landowner.

   A servant in scarlet interrupted him; he was the chuprassy of the Civil Surgeon, and he handed Aziz a note.

   1924, E. M. Forster, A Passage to India, Penguin, published 2005, page 13

   2 more examples

   Two clerks who had witnessed the scene, and a chaprassi, were sent along to Mr Macgregor's office to corroborate the story. They lied in perfect unison.

   1934, George Orwell, chapter 22, in Burmese Days

   Liveried chaprasis were bringing in wreaths to be placed on Mattoo's body, from the Governor General, Prime Minister, cabinet ministers, heads of industrial houses.

   2004, Khushwant Singh, Burial at Sea, Penguin, published 2014, page 78