Word
caliph
US/ˈkæɫəf/
UK/kˈælɪf/
Definition
n. a title for a leader of the Muslim community who was seen as a successor to the Prophet Muhammad.
n. the title of the civil and religious head of a Muslim state, traditionally considered a successor to the Prophet Muhammad.
Examples
“The caliph ruled over a vast empire that stretched across three continents.”
“Historians often study the caliphate to understand how Islamic law and governance evolved during the medieval period.”
“The decline of the caliphate marked a significant shift in the political landscape of the Middle East, leading to the rise of various regional dynasties and the eventual fragmentation of the empire.”
Examples
simple
“The caliph ruled over a vast empire that stretched across three continents.”
contextual
“Historians often study the caliphate to understand how Islamic law and governance evolved during the medieval period.”
complex
“The decline of the caliphate marked a significant shift in the political landscape of the Middle East, leading to the rise of various regional dynasties and the eventual fragmentation of the empire.”
Usage
Often capitalized as 'Caliph' when used as a specific title before a name.
Teaching tip
This is primarily a historical and political term; students will encounter it most often in history books or news regarding Islamic governance.
Real-World Examples
“The Fatimid caliph al-Hakim, ruling from Cairo, got wind of Alhazen’s extraordinary proposal.” Etymology
From Middle English calife, caliphe, from Old French caliphe, from Medieval Latin calipha, from Arabic خَلِيفَة (ḵalīfa, “caliph”) and خَلِيف (ḵalīf, “successor”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.