ʿulama

or u·le·ma

[ oo-luh-mah ]

/ ˈu ləˌmɑ /

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plural noun Islam.

the doctors of Muslim religion and law.

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THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

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Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

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Origin of ʿulama

First recorded in 1680–90, ʿulama is from the Arabic word ʿulamā learned men

Words nearby ʿulama

Ukr., Ukraine, Ukrainian, ukulele, UL, ʿulama, ulan, Ulan Bator, Ulanova, Ulan Ude, Ulbricht

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

How to use ʿulama in a sentence

And, as Ulama came towards them, he signed to her to step aside, out of the line of fire.
The Devil-Tree of El Dorado|Frank Aubrey
Zelus had set his mind upon taking Ulama from her father to make her, against her will, his wife—or one of them.
The Devil-Tree of El Dorado|Frank Aubrey
Then they entered the palace, and Ulama came forward to welcome them, with Zonella and many more.
The Devil-Tree of El Dorado|Frank Aubrey
That afternoon Leonard sought out Ulama and asked to be allowed to row her on the lake; and to this she smiled a glad assent.
The Devil-Tree of El Dorado|Frank Aubrey

Leonard gratefully poured out his thanks to the kind-hearted king; then went to seek Ulama.
The Devil-Tree of El Dorado|Frank Aubrey

British Dictionary definitions for ʿulama (1 of 2)

ulama¹

ulema

/ (ˈuːlɪmə) /

noun

a body of Muslim scholars or religious leaders

a member of this body

Word Origin for ulama

C17: from Arabic `ulamā scholars, from `alama to know

British Dictionary definitions for ʿulama (2 of 2)

ulama²

/ (ˌuːˈlɑːmə) /

noun

a Meso-American team ball game, with a history dating back to as early as 1500 bc, played with a solid rubber ball on a long narrow court

Word Origin for ulama

from Nahuatl Ullamalitztli ball game

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