Mahdi

[ mah-dee ]

noun,plural Mah·dis.
  1. the Muslim messiah, an expected spiritual and temporal ruler destined to establish a reign of righteousness throughout the world.

  2. any of various claimants to this role, especially Muhammad Ahmed, who established an independent government in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan that lasted until 1898.

Origin of Mahdi

1
First recorded in 1790–1800, Mahdi is from the Arabic word mahdīy he who is guided

Other words from Mahdi

  • Mahdism [mah-diz-uhm], /ˈmɑ dɪz əm/, noun
  • Mahdist, noun, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use Mahdi in a sentence

  • Much of the narrative of the fight which follows is derived from "Mahdism and the Egyptian Soudan."

  • Yet Mahdism, by its very nature, could effect nothing constructive or permanent.

    The New World of Islam | Lothrop Stoddard
  • All the toil, all the bloodshed, and all the treasure expended against Mahdism had been in vain.

    Our Soldiers | W.H.G. Kingston
  • One by one, however, Arab clansmen and blacks repented and deserted Mahdism.

    Khartoum Campaign, 1898 | Bennet Burleigh
  • Osman had quietly come to the wise conclusion that Mahdism was near its end.

    Khartoum Campaign, 1898 | Bennet Burleigh

British Dictionary definitions for Mahdi

Mahdi

/ (ˈmɑːdɪ) /


noun
  1. the title assumed by Mohammed Ahmed. ?1843–85, Sudanese military leader, who led a revolt against Egypt (1881) and captured Khartoum (1885)

  2. Islam any of a number of Muslim messiahs expected to convert all mankind to Islam

Origin of Mahdi

1
Arabic mahdīy one who is guided, from madā to guide aright

Derived forms of Mahdi

  • Mahdism, noun
  • Mahdist, noun, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012