also: たいふ
noun
high steward; grand master
Historical title for a senior court official in pre-modern Japan, roughly equivalent to a high steward or grand master. Not used in modern contexts.
平安時代の大夫は、朝廷で重要な役職を務めた。
In the Heian period, a 大夫 served in an important post at the imperial court.
この物語の主人公は、若くして大夫に
The protagonist of this tale was appointed 大夫 at a young age.
From Chinese 大夫 (dàfū), a historical official title. The Japanese reading だいぶ is the go-on reading, while たいふ is the kan-on reading.