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Yezidis

British  
/ ˈjɛzɪdɪz /

plural noun

  1. a religious sect found in the Kurdish areas of Iraq, Turkey, and Syria, whose beliefs combine elements of Zoroastrianism, Islam, Christianity, and other religions; in addition to believing in a Supreme God, the Yezidi worship seven angels, among whom is the devil, who is believed to have repented and been pardoned and reinstated as chief angel

"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

Etymology

Origin of Yezidis

C19: perhaps from Yazid or Ezid a name for God

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But by March 2016, Germany had tightened its borders, stranding the siblings and more than 3000 other Yezidis in Greece.

From Science Magazine • May 16, 2017

In the 1990s the country opened its borders to all Turkish Yezidis after reports of human rights abuses.

From Science Magazine • May 16, 2017

Yezidis often prefer to talk about ferman—their history of genocide and forced migration—than about their own traumatic experiences, Kizilhan says.

From Science Magazine • May 16, 2017

Yet throughout their ordeal, Yezidis have maintained a common core of belief and culture.

From Science Magazine • May 16, 2017

The Yezidis reverence Moses, Christ, and Mohammed, in addition to many of the saints and prophets held in veneration both by Christians and Moslems.

From Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Volume 1, No. 4, September, 1850 by Various