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caliphs
ca·liph
/
ˈkeɪ
lɪf, ˈkæl
ɪf
/
Show Spelled
[
key
-lif,
kal
-if
]
Show IPA
noun
1.
a spiritual leader of Islam, claiming succession from Muhammad.
2.
any of the former Muslim rulers of Baghdad (until 1258) and of the Ottoman Empire (from 1571 until 1924).
Also,
calif
,
kalif
,
kaliph
,
khalif
.
Origin:
1350–1400;
Middle English
caliphe, califfe
<
Middle French
<
Medieval Latin
calipha
<
Arabic
khalīf
(
a
) successor (of Muhammad), derivative of
khalafa
succeed
Related forms
cal·iph·al
/
ˈkæl
ə
fəl
,
ˈkeɪ
lə-
/
Show Spelled
[
kal
-
uh
-f
uh
l
,
key
-l
uh
-
]
Show IPA
,
adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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caliphs
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00:10
Caliphs
is always a great word to know.
So is
zedonk
. Does it mean:
So is
ninnyhammer
. Does it mean:
So is
bezoar
. Does it mean:
the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
a fool or simpleton; ninny.
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
Collins
World English Dictionary
caliph
,
calif
,
kalif
or
khalif
(ˈkeɪlɪf, ˈkæl-, ˈkeɪlɪf, ˈkæl-, ˈkeɪlɪf, ˈkæl-, ˈkeɪlɪf, ˈkæl-)
—
n
Islam
the title of the successors of Mohammed as rulers of the Islamic world, later assumed by the Sultans of Turkey
[C14: from Old French, from Arabic
khalīfa
successor]
calif
,
calif
,
kalif
or
khalif
—
n
[C14: from Old French, from Arabic
khalīfa
successor]
kalif
,
calif
,
kalif
or
khalif
—
n
[C14: from Old French, from Arabic
khalīfa
successor]
khalif
,
calif
,
kalif
or
khalif
—
n
[C14: from Old French, from Arabic
khalīfa
successor]
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
caliph
late 14c., from O.Fr. caliphe (12c., also algalife), from M.L. califa, from Arabic khalifa "successor," originally Abu-Bakr, who succeeded Muhammad in the role of leader of the faithful after the prophet's death.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
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