also jiz·yah
noun
Under traditional shari'a law, a poll tax levied on non-Muslim subjects of an Islamic state.
Origin of jizya
Arabic jizya from Syriac gzitā poll tax from emphatic state of gazyā feminine of gzē paid passive participle of gzā to pay Arabic jazā to repay, give recompense and Sabaean gzyt award, commendation (sense uncertain)