sa·ma·nid \səˈmänə̇d, ˈsämən-\noun (pluralsamanids \-dz\ ; orsama·ni \-nē\) Usage: usually capitalized Etymology:Saman, eponymous ancestor of the first ruler of the dynasty + English -id : a member of a 9th and 10th century Persian dynasty ruling from Bokhara and encouraging literature and art