caliph

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a Muslim political and religious ruler claiming succession to the authority of the prophet Muhammad

   The Abbasid caliph made Baghdad the center of a vast empire.

From Middle English calife through Old French and Medieval Latin, from Arabic khalifa, 'successor or deputy.' The title expressed a claim to succeed Muhammad in the leadership of the Muslim community, though the political powers of historical caliphs varied greatly.

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