Shiʿite

Also Shiite,

[shee-ahyt]

noun

Islam.

1. a member of one of the two great religious divisions of Islam that regards Ali, the son-in-law of Muhammad, as the legitimate successor of Muhammad, and disregards the three caliphs who succeeded him.

Other Word Forms

• Shiʿism noun
• Shiʿitic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Shiʿite¹

Shiʿah + -ite ¹