caliph

or ca·lif

[ key-lif, kal-if ]

See synonyms for caliph on Thesaurus.com

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

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English caliphe, califfe, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin calipha, from Arabic khalīf(a) “successor (of Muhammad),” derivative of khalafa “succeed”

Also ka·lif, ka·liph; kha·lif [kuh-leef, key-lif, kal-if], /kəˈlif, ˈkeɪ lɪf, ˈkæl ɪf/, kha·li·fa [kuh-lee-fuh] /kəˈli fə/ .

Other words from caliph

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

Words Nearby caliph

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use caliph in a sentence

“This is my advice to you,” said the self-proclaimed caliph.
Pope Francis, ISIS, and the Last Crusade | Christopher Dickey | August 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The caliph is just playing a role for his time,” says Abu Mustafa, “then we will be done with him.
With Friends Like These, ISIS Is Doomed | Jacob Siegel | July 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The new caliph, “Ibrahim,” thoroughly looks the part of a super-villain, and his initial statements exactly fit the bill.
Why the Caliphate Will Devour Its Children | Philip Jenkins | July 11, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Baghdad officials claimed the self-proclaimed caliph was wounded in an air strike days earlier.
The Terrorist Caliph as Nation Builder in Iraq, Syria, and Beyond | Jamie Dettmer | July 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
He became the astronomer and physician of the caliph Motadhid.
Old-Time Makers of Medicine | James J. Walsh

I went immediately to wait upon the caliph, and gave him an account of my embassy.
The Arabian Nights | Unknown
A similar temper was diffused among the subjects of the caliph.
The History of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire | Edward Gibbon
The word caliph means the vicar or the successor of the Prophet.
The Contemporary Review, January 1883 | Various
If they prefer to continue to recognize the Sultan as caliph, they should be free to do so.
The Contemporary Review, January 1883 | Various

British Dictionary definitions for caliph

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

Origin of caliph

C14: from Old French, from Arabic khalīfa successor

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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