caliph

(kā′lif; also, kal′if)

noun

supreme ruler: the title taken by Mohammed's successors as secular and religious heads of Islam

Origin: ME & OFr calife < Ar khalīfa, caliph, successor < khalafa, succeed

See caliph in American Heritage Dictionary 4

also ca·lif or kha·lif

noun

A leader of an Islamic polity, regarded as a successor of Muhammad and by tradition always male.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English calife

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Arabic ḫalīfa, successor (to Muhammad), caliph

Origin: , from ḫalafa, to succeed; see ḫlp in Semitic roots

Related Forms:

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