shi'i
UK[ˈʃiːi]US[ˈʃiːi]
n
A member of one of the two main branches of Islam, who believe that Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, was his rightful successor.
adj
Relating to Shi'is or their branch of Islam.
Etymology
The term "Shi'i" originates from the Arabic phrase "Shīʿat ʿAlī," meaning "the party of Ali" or "the followers of Ali." It is derived from the Arabic root "sh-y-ʿa," which carries the core meaning of "to follow" or "a group of followers." This term was used historically to designate those Muslims who supported the claim of Ali ibn Abi Talib to the leadership of the Muslim community after the death of the Prophet Muhammad. Over centuries, this designation evolved from a political faction into a distinct theological and legal school within Islam, with the term "Shi'i" becoming the standard name for its adherents in English and other languages.
Analysis
The word is a loanword from Arabic, adopted as a single lexical unit in English. It is not productively formed from separable English morphemes.
Examples
The majority of the population in Iran is Shi'i.
There are significant differences between Shi'i and Sunni religious practices.
The scholar specialized in Shi'i jurisprudence.