Shiʿite

[ shee-ahyt ]

/ ˈʃi aɪt /

Save This Word!

noun Islam.

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.

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON AFFECT VS. EFFECT!

In effect, this quiz will prove whether or not you have the skills to know the difference between “affect” and “effect.”

Question 1 of 7

The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.

affect

effect

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Also Shiite, Shiʿa, Shiʿah, Shi·ʿi

[shee-ee, shee-ee]. /ʃiˈi, ˈʃi i/.

Compare Sunni (def. 1).

Origin of Shiʿite

Shiʿah + -ite¹

OTHER WORDS FROM Shiʿite

Shi·ʿism

[shee-iz-uhm], /ˈʃi ɪz əm/, nounShi·ʿit·ic

[shee-it-ik], /ʃiˈɪt ɪk/, adjective

Words nearby Shiʿite

Shih Ching, Shih Huang Ti, Shih Tzu, Shiism, shiitake, Shiʿite, Shijiazhuang, shikar, shikari, Shikibu, shikibuton

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for Shiʿite

A Shiite stronghold wrapped in a Sunni explosive belt—not exactly a picture of stability.
The Nuclear Deal That Iran’s Regime Fears Most|Djavad Khadem|November 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Allying themselves with the Shiite militant group Hezbollah, some Lebanese Christians are standing their ground against ISIS.
Lebanese Christians Gun Up Against ISIS|Susannah George|November 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Last month, the three largest Shiite militias told President Obama not to send ground troops into Iraq.
Iran Orders Elite Troops: Lay Off U.S. Forces in Iraq|Eli Lake|October 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the United Kingdom, 100 Sunni and Shiite Imams have joined together to condemn ISIS.
Why Muslims Hate Terrorism More|Dean Obeidallah|August 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST

They had feared ISIS fighters and their Sunni allies would unleash a massacre of the predominantly Shiite townsfolk.
This Is How You Fight ISIS|Jamie Dettmer|June 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is noticeable, however, that within the last fifty years the religious bitterness of Shiite and Sunite is sensibly in decline.
The Future of Islam|Wilfred Scawen Blunt
The future of Shiite Mohammedanism in Persia proper is a still more doubtful problem.
The Future of Islam|Wilfred Scawen Blunt
(e) Shiite Moslems outnumber the Sunni, and make about one twenty-fifth of the whole.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 16, Slice 3|Various
According to Shiite tradition, it is the twelfth Imam of the race of Ali who is to appear.
The Contemporary Review, January 1883|Various
On the last night many Shiite Moslems walk to the mosque in bare feet, wearing sackcloth.
Modern Persia|Mooshie G. Daniel

British Dictionary definitions for Shiʿite

Shiite

Shiah

/ (ˈʃiːaɪt) Islam /

noun

an adherent of Shiah

adjective

of or relating to Shiah

Derived forms of Shiite

Shiitic (ʃiːˈɪtɪk), adjective

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

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY