\Pa*sha"\, n. [Turk. p[=a]sh[=a], b[=a]sh[=a]; cf. Per.
b[=a]sh[=a], b[=a]dsh[=a]h; perh. a corruption of Per.
p[=a]dish[=a]h. Cf. {Bashaw}, {Padishah}, {Shah}.]
An honorary title given to officers of high rank in Turkey,
as to governers of provinces, military commanders, etc. The
earlier form was {bashaw}. [Written also {pacha}.]
Note: There are three classes of pashas, whose rank is
      distinguished by the number of the horsetails borne on
      their standards, being one, two, or three, a pasha of
      three tails being the highest.