Emir (Arabic: أمير; amīrah, ãmir, (Persian/Uru: امیر ) "commander" or "general", also "prince" ; also transliterated as amir, aamir or ameer) is a high title of nobility or office, used in Arabic nations of the Middle East and North Africa, and historically, in some Turkic states. Emirs are usually considered high-ranking sheiks.