Mahdi

[ mah-dee ]

/ ˈmɑ di /

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noun, plural Mah·dis.

the Muslim messiah, an expected spiritual and temporal ruler destined to establish a reign of righteousness throughout the world.

any of various claimants to this role, especially Muhammad Ahmed, who established an independent government in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan that lasted until 1898.

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Origin of Mahdi

First recorded in 1790–1800, Mahdi is from the Arabic word mahdīy he who is guided

OTHER WORDS FROM Mahdi

Mahdism

[mah-diz-uhm], /ˈmɑ dɪz əm/, nounMahdist, noun, adjective

Words nearby Mahdi

mahatma, Mahatma Gandhi, Mahavira, Mahayana, Maha Yuga, Mahdi, Mahé, Mahendra, mahewu, Mahfouz, Mahican

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

How to use Mahdi in a sentence

If any one has a complaint to make, he must call out, as the Khalifa enters the mosque for prayers, "Khalifat el Mahdi!"
Ten Years' Captivity in the Mahdi's Camp 1882-1892|F. R. Wingate
Jud dismounted, seized my bit, and ran his hand over El Mahdi's face.
Dwellers in the Hills|Melville Davisson Post
Then I kicked my heels against El Mahdi and swung him around down-hill.
Dwellers in the Hills|Melville Davisson Post
Neither of these things seemed to give El Mahdi the slightest annoyance.
Dwellers in the Hills|Melville Davisson Post

That summons was followed by the arrival of a steamer, the captain of which had orders to capture the False Mahdi alive or dead.
The Life of Gordon, Volume II|Demetrius Charles Boulger

British Dictionary definitions for Mahdi

Mahdi

/ (ˈmɑːdɪ) /

noun

the title assumed by Mohammed Ahmed. ?1843–85, Sudanese military leader, who led a revolt against Egypt (1881) and captured Khartoum (1885)

Islam any of a number of Muslim messiahs expected to convert all mankind to Islam

Derived forms of Mahdi

Mahdism, nounMahdist, noun, adjective

Word Origin for Mahdi

Arabic mahdīy one who is guided, from madā to guide aright

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