caliph
or ca·lif
a spiritual leader of Islam, claiming succession from Muhammad.
any of the former Muslim rulers of Baghdad (until 1258) and of the Ottoman Empire (from 1571 until 1924).
Origin of caliph
1- Also ka·lif, ka·liph; kha·lif [kuh-leef, key-lif, kal-if], /kəˈlif, ˈkeɪ lɪf, ˈkæl ɪf/, kha·li·fa [kuh-lee-fuh] /kəˈli fə/ .
Other words from caliph
- cal·iph·al [kal-uh-fuhl, key-luh-], /ˈkæl ə fəl, ˈkeɪ lə-/, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use caliph in a sentence
The caliphs who succeeded him, for some time, were men of great simplicity, and sought to imitate his virtues.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume V | John LordThe eclat which the Moorish caliphs shed upon Spain from the tenth to the thirteenth century is well known.
An Epitome of the History of Medicine | Roswell ParkHarmozan instantly dashed the cup on the ground, claiming fulfillment of the Caliphs word.
Fun And Frolic | VariousTheir official heads were the Exilarchs, who reigned over the Jews as viceroys of the caliphs.
Chapters on Jewish Literature | Israel AbrahamsIn the service of the caliphs were politicians who were also doctors, poets, philosophers, men of science.
Chapters on Jewish Literature | Israel Abrahams
British Dictionary definitions for caliph
calif, kalif or khalif
/ (ˈkeɪlɪf, ˈkæl-) /
Islam the title of the successors of Mohammed as rulers of the Islamic world, later assumed by the Sultans of Turkey
Origin of caliph
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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