Shiʿite
a member of one of the two great religious divisions of Islam that regards Ali, the son-in-law of Muhammad, as the legitimate successor of Muhammad, and disregards the three caliphs who succeeded him.
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Origin of Shiʿite
1- Also Shiite, Shiʿa, Shiʿah, Shi·ʿi [shee-ee, shee-ee]. /ʃiˈi, ˈʃi i/.
Other words from Shiʿite
- Shi·ʿism [shee-iz-uhm], /ˈʃi ɪz əm/, noun
- Shi·ʿit·ic [shee-it-ik], /ʃiˈɪt ɪk/, adjective
- Compare Sunni (def. 1).
Words Nearby Shiʿite
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use Shiʿite in a sentence
A Shiite stronghold wrapped in a Sunni explosive belt—not exactly a picture of stability.
The Nuclear Deal That Iran’s Regime Fears Most | Djavad Khadem | November 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAllying themselves with the Shiite militant group Hezbollah, some Lebanese Christians are standing their ground against ISIS.
Last month, the three largest Shiite militias told President Obama not to send ground troops into Iraq.
Iran Orders Elite Troops: Lay Off U.S. Forces in Iraq | Eli Lake | October 6, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIn the United Kingdom, 100 Sunni and Shiite Imams have joined together to condemn ISIS.
They had feared ISIS fighters and their Sunni allies would unleash a massacre of the predominantly Shiite townsfolk.
It is noticeable, however, that within the last fifty years the religious bitterness of Shiite and Sunite is sensibly in decline.
The Future of Islam | Wilfred Scawen BluntThe future of Shiite Mohammedanism in Persia proper is a still more doubtful problem.
The Future of Islam | Wilfred Scawen Blunt(e) Shiite Moslems outnumber the Sunni, and make about one twenty-fifth of the whole.
According to Shiite tradition, it is the twelfth Imam of the race of Ali who is to appear.
The Contemporary Review, January 1883 | VariousOn the last night many Shiite Moslems walk to the mosque in bare feet, wearing sackcloth.
Modern Persia | Mooshie G. Daniel
British Dictionary definitions for Shiite
Shiah
/ (ˈʃiːaɪt) Islam /
an adherent of Shiah
of or relating to Shiah
Derived forms of Shiite
- Shiitic (ʃiːˈɪtɪk), 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
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