mufti
UK[ˈmʌfti]US[ˈmʌfti]
n
ordinary clothes worn by a person who usually wears a uniform, such as a soldier, police officer, or student.
n
a muslim legal expert who is empowered to give rulings on religious matters.
Etymology
the word 'mufti' entered the english language in the late 16th century, borrowed from the arabic 'muftī', meaning 'a person who delivers a formal opinion'. this arabic term is itself derived from the verb 'aftā', 'to give a formal legal opinion'. the term was initially used in english to refer to the muslim legal scholar. the now more common secular meaning in british english, referring to civilian clothes worn by someone who normally wears a uniform, emerged in the early 19th century. this semantic shift is believed to stem from a humorous comparison, where being out of uniform was likened to a muslim judge wearing a dressing gown or informal attire, as opposed to official robes.
Analysis
this word is a loanword from arabic, borrowed into english as a single, unsegmentable unit in its current spelling.
Examples
after the parade, the officers changed into mufti and headed to the pub.
the school's head boy was spotted in mufti at the cinema on a saturday.
the community sought guidance from the local mufti on the religious ruling.