βασιλεύς

Etymology
From, with developing by. Cognate with 🇨🇬, that is, *gʷasileus. Further etymology. Multiple Indo-European etymologies have been advanced. Beekes considers it in origin. Possibly from an language (see ), although the Mycenaean (Linear B) evidence points to an original form with initial gʷ.

Case-forms show shortening of the original stem ; see.

Noun

 * 1) chief, master
 * 2) king, lord, patron

Usage notes
Greek leaders ruling in distant lands, such as those of Ptolemaic Egypt, often use the word βασιλεύς to convey authority, an example of this is exemplified in the use of the phrase ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ (Ptolemaiou Basileos) on Ptolemaic coinage minted for use in Egypt. During specific periods of Greek history,  was used to describe certain foreign leaders of comparable authority, such as the Persian kings and Roman Caesars. In this usage, it often took on certain modifications, such as a lack of definite article or the use of the adjective.

Etymology
From.