Definitions
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
- n. A member of the branch of Islam that regards Ali and his descendants as the legitimate successors to Muhammad and rejects the first three caliphs.
- adj. Of or relating to the Shiites or their branch of Islam.
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- n. Same as Shiah.
Wiktionary
- adj. Of, or relating to Shiites or the Shi'a branch of Islam.
- adj. Of, or relating the Shi'a branch of Islam.
- n. A member of the Shi'a branch of Islam.
GNU Webster's 1913
- n. 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.
WordNet 3.0
- n. a member of the branch of Islam that regards Ali as the legitimate successor to Mohammed and rejects the first three caliphs
- n. a member of the branch of Islam that regards Ali as the legitimate successor to Mohammed and rejects the first three caliphs
Etymologies
- Arabic šī'a, partisans; see Shiah. (American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition)
Examples
“In an escalation of the rivalry, the main Sunni-backed political bloc on Sunday announced it was boycotting parliament to protest what they called Shiite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's attempts to monopolize government positions - particularly those overseeing the powerful security forces.”
“This is significant, the Sunnis had previously boycotted elections, resulting in Shiite dominated provincial governments in areas where Shiites were a minority, and in Shiite representation in normally Sunni areas.”
“Anthony Shadid reports today that a series of six car bombs “struck markets, a police convoy and a gaggle of workers in Shiite Muslim neighborhoods Monday, killing 32 people and wounding more than 120 in one of the most violent days in the capital in months.””
“The attack was particularly notable because Najaf, a revered city in Shiite Islam, has been among the safest places in Iraq in recent years.”
The Washington Post: U.N. diplomat unhurt in Iraq bombing; 1 policeman killed
“The Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council is thought be behind the hundreds of posters in Shiite areas of Baghdad bearing the image of the country's top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, in a move designed to use the name of the much revered cleric to attract voters.”
“While the Iranian regime appears to be finding support these days in Shiite quarters from Beirut to Baghdad, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is searching for theological backing this week in his own backyard.”
The Huffington Post: Geneive Abdo: Khamenei Seeks Rehabilitation in Qom
“Crowds in Shiite neighborhoods cheered the Iranian president and his country for their moral and financial support during years of turmoil.”
“Maha al-Douri, a prominent female candidate running in Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's party told the Associated Press, "in the future this quota should be removed and women should compete equally with men, because women politicians have proven their competence and reliability in politics.”
The Huffington Post: Molly Hunter: Eyes on the Prize for Iraqi Women
“For the cycles of mourning in Shiite Islam actually provide a schedule for political combat -- a way to generate or revive momentum.”
The Huffington Post: Iran Election Live-Blogging (Monday June 22)
“Sunni extremists have carried out coordinated bombings in Shiite areas in the past in an effort to stoke sectarian violence.”
The Washington Post: String of bombings kills scores in Baghdad
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