jihad

(jē häd)

noun

  1. a war by Muslims against unbelievers or enemies of Islam, carried out as a religious duty
  2. a fanatic campaign for or against an idea, etc.; crusade

Origin: Ar, a contest, war

See jihad in American Heritage Dictionary 4

also je·had

noun
  1. Islam An individual's striving for spiritual self-perfection.
  2. Islam A Muslim holy war or spiritual struggle against infidels.
  3. A crusade or struggle: “The war against smoking is turning into a jihad against people who smoke” (Fortune).

Origin:

Origin: Arabic jihād

Origin: , from jahada, to strive; see ghd in Semitic roots

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