an officer or dignitary in the Ottoman empire, VIFER, whereof there are two kinds; one called by the Turks Vifher-azem, that is, "grand vifher," is the prime minister of state in the whole empire. He commands the army in chief, and presides in the divan or great council. Next to him are fix other subordinate vifters, called vifters of the bench; who officiate as his counsellors or affessors in the divan.