kaliph

[ key-lif, kal-if ]
/ ˈkeɪ lɪf, ˈkæl ɪf /

noun

caliph.

Words nearby kaliph

kalinin, kaliningrad, kalinite, kalio-, kaliopenia, kaliph, kalispel, kalispell, kalisz, kalium, kaliyuga

Definition for kaliph (2 of 2)

caliph

or ca·lif, ka·lif, ka·liph, kha·lif

[ key-lif, kal-if ]
/ ˈkeɪ lɪf, ˈkæl ɪf /

noun

a spiritual leader of Islam, claiming succession from Muhammad.
any of the former Muslim rulers of Baghdad (until 1258) and of the Ottoman Empire (from 1571 until 1924).

Origin of caliph

1350–1400; Middle English caliphe, califfe < Middle French < Medieval Latin calipha < Arabic khalīf(a) successor (of Muhammad), derivative of khalafa succeed

OTHER WORDS FROM caliph

cal·iph·al [kal-uh-fuh l, key-luh-] /ˈkæl ə fəl, ˈkeɪ lə-/, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for kaliph

  • Being a theocratic state, all her public institutions emanated from the Kaliph, as the representative of Mohammed.

    Bulgaria |Frank Fox

British Dictionary definitions for kaliph

caliph

calif, kalif or khalif

/ (ˈkeɪlɪf, ˈkæl-) /

noun

Islam the title of the successors of Mohammed as rulers of the Islamic world, later assumed by the Sultans of Turkey

Word Origin for caliph

C14: from Old French, from Arabic khalīfa successor