Shiʽite

noun

Shiʽ·​ite
variants or Shiite
plural -s
: a Muslim belonging to the Shiʽa branch of Islam

Word History

Etymology

Arabic shiyaʽīy partisan, Shiʽite, from shīʽah following, sect, from shāʽa to accompany

First Known Use

1728, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Shiʽite was in 1728

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Dictionary Entries Near Shiʽite

Cite this Entry

“Shiʽite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Shi%CA%BDite. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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