calif

[key-lif, kal-if]

noun

caliph.

caliph

or ca·lif, ka·lif, ka·liph, kha·lif

[key-lif, kal-if]

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

Related formscal·iph·al

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

Calif.

California.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for calif

Historical Examples of calif

The calif, after hearing what the embassador had to say, refused to comply.
Genghis Khan, Makers of History Series
Jacob Abbott
The calif knew not which to admire most, the generosity of Nadir or the soldier.
The Blossoms of Morality
Richard Johnson
After that Almamon the Calif entered Ægypt, and saw the Pyramids.
Thalaba the Destroyer
Robert Southey
Calif Mdowija, who died in 679, is regarded as the founder of the Arabian posts.
The Development of Rates of Postage
A. D. Smith
Its populations belong to it by descent; its head is the Calif (now the Sultan of Turkey).
Introduction to the History of Religions
Crawford Howell Toy

British Dictionary definitions for calif

calif

noun

a variant spelling of caliph

Calif.

abbreviation for

California

caliph

calif, kalif or khalif

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

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

Word Origin and History for calif

caliph

late 14c., from Old French caliphe (12c., also algalife), from Medieval Latin califa, from Arabic khalifa "successor," originally Abu-Bakr, who succeeded Muhammad in the role of leader of the faithful after the prophet's death.