kərBased on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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fakir, faqir or fakeer (fəˈkɪə, ˈfeɪkə, fəˈkɪə, ˈfeɪkə, fəˈkɪə) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a Muslim ascetic who rejects wordly possessions |
| 2. | a Hindu ascetic mendicant or holy man |
| [C17: from Arabic faqīr poor] | |
| faqir, faqir or fakeer | |
| —n | |
| [C17: from Arabic faqīr poor] | |
| fakeer, faqir or fakeer | |
| —n | |
| [C17: from Arabic faqīr poor] | |
| a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare. |
| an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance. |
| faqir (fəˈkɪə, ˈfeɪkə) | |
| —n | |
| a variant spelling of fakir | |
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faqir
originally, a mendicant dervish. In mystical usage, the word fakir refers to man's spiritual need for God, who alone is self-sufficient. Although of Muslim origin, the term has come to be applied in India to Hindus as well, largely replacing gosvamin, sadhu, bhikku, and other designations. Fakirs are generally regarded as holy men who are possessed of miraculous powers, such as the ability to walk on fire. While less influential in urban areas since the spread of education and technology, fakirs retain some hold over the people of the villages and the interior of India. Among Muslims the leading Sufi orders of fakirs are the Chishtiyah, Qadiriyah, Naqshbandiyah, and Suhrawardiyah.
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