1.
[syn: Shiah, Shia, Shiah Islam]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Shiah \Shi"ah\, prop. n.
Same as Shiite; when used with a plural verb, the Shiites,
collectively.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Shiite \Shi"ite\, Shiah \Shi"ah\, n. [Ar. sh[imac]'a[imac]a
follower of the sect of Ali, fr. sh[imac]'at, sh[imac]'ah, a
multitude following one another in pursuit of the same
object, the sect of Ali, fr. sh[=a]'a to follow.]
A member of that branch of the Mohammedans to which the
Persians belong. They reject the first three caliphs, and
consider Ali as being the first and only rightful successor
of Mohammed. They do not acknowledge the Sunna, or body of
traditions respecting Mohammed, as any part of the law, and
on these accounts are treated as heretics by the Sunnites, or
orthodox Mohammedans.
[1913 Webster] Shikaree
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
Shiah
n 1: one of the two main branches of orthodox Islam; mainly in
Iran [syn: Shiah, Shia, Shiah Islam]