caliph

or ca·lif

[ key-lif, kal-if ]

noun

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

caliph

/ ˈkæl-; ˈkeɪlɪf /

noun

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

Other Words From

• cal·iph·al [kal, -, uh, -f, uh, l, key, -l, uh, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of caliph¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of caliph¹

C14: from Old French, from Arabic khalīfa successor

Example Sentences

One of Al-Nayrīzī’s treatises for the caliph discussed how to determine the distance to upright objects.

From Science News

When ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the False Caliph of Raqqa, announced the creation of the Islamic State, he was declaring war not only against the United States and its allies, but also against al Qaeda and the Taliban.

From The Daily Beast

Already in 2012, people were living as if Baghdadi was the caliph.

From Time

“This is my advice to you,” said the self-proclaimed caliph.

From The Daily Beast

The Caliph is just playing a role for his time,” says Abu Mustafa, “then we will be done with him.

From The Daily Beast

The new Caliph, “Ibrahim,” thoroughly looks the part of a super-villain, and his initial statements exactly fit the bill.

From The Daily Beast

Baghdad officials claimed the self-proclaimed caliph was wounded in an air strike days earlier.

From The Daily Beast

He became the astronomer and physician of the Caliph Motadhid.

From Project Gutenberg

I went immediately to wait upon the caliph, and gave him an account of my embassy.

From Project Gutenberg

A similar temper was diffused among the subjects of the caliph.

From Project Gutenberg

The word Caliph means the vicar or the successor of the Prophet.

From Project Gutenberg

If they prefer to continue to recognize the Sultan as Caliph, they should be free to do so.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• czar
• emperor
• king
• monarch
• shah
• sultan