Kharijite

[ kahr-uh-jahyt ]

noun

, Islam.

1. a member of an ultraconservative, sometimes fanatical, sect emphasizing the importance of strict adherence to Muslim principles of conduct, and advocating the killing of anyone seriously violating those principles.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Kharijite¹

< Arabic khārij ( ī ) dissenter + -ite ¹