อธิบดี

Etymology

From Pali adhipati (literally “overlord”), from adhi (“superior; over”) + pati (“chief; lord; master”); or from Sanskrit अधिपति (adhipati, literally “overlord”), from अधि (adhi, “superior; over”) + पति (pati, “chief; lord; master”); equivalent to Thai อธิ (“superior; over”) +‎ บดี (“chief; lord; master”). Cognate with Old Khmer °ʼadhipati, ʼādhipati (“master; chief; dean”); Modern Khmer អធិបតី (ʾɑɑthɨptəy).

Pronunciation

Noun

อธิบดี • (à-tí-bɔɔ-dii)

1. overlord; high king; suzerain.
2. overseer; supervisor; superior; chief executive; high administrator.
   • 1 Kings 18:3, KJV:

     และอาหับรับสั่งเรียกโอบาดีห์ผู้เป็นอธิบดีกรมวัง

     lɛ́ aa-hàp ráp-sàng rîiak oo-baa-dii pûu bpen à-tí-bɔɔ-dii grom-má-wang

     And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house.

3. (Thai government) director-general: chief of a governmental department, called กรม (grom).
4. (astrology) auspiciousness; opportuneness; propitiousness.