mogul
UK[ˈməʊɡ(ə)l]US[ˈmoʊɡ(ə)l]
n
A very rich, powerful, and important person, especially in the film, media, or business industries.
n
A small hard mound of snow on a ski slope, formed by the passage of skiers.
Etymology
The word 'mogul' has a fascinating journey from a specific ethnic designation to a title of immense power and influence. It entered English in the late 16th century from the Persian and Arabic 'mughul', meaning 'Mongol', specifically referring to the Mongol conquerors of India who established the Mughal Empire. The name of this dynasty became synonymous with immense wealth, grandeur, and absolute authority. By the late 19th century, this association was metaphorically extended in American English to describe any person of towering power and prominence in industry or finance, such as a 'railroad mogul'. The skiing term, describing a bump, emerged in the 1960s and is unrelated, likely from the Southern German dialect word 'mugel', meaning a small hill or mound.
Analysis
This word is a loanword where the entire form is borrowed as a single unit. It does not contain separable, meaningful morphemes within modern English spelling.
Examples
He became a media mogul by building a vast empire of television stations and newspapers.
The film was financed by a Hollywood mogul known for taking big risks.
The advanced ski run was covered in deep moguls, challenging even the most experienced skiers.