shi'ite
UK[ˈʃiːaɪt]US[ˈʃiːaɪt]
n
A member of the branch of Islam that regards Ali, the son-in-law of Muhammad, and his descendants as the legitimate successors to Muhammad.
Etymology
The term "Shi'ite" is derived from the Arabic phrase "Shīʿat ʿAlī," meaning "the party of Ali" or "the followers of Ali." It entered English in the 16th century via Medieval Latin and French adaptations of the Arabic. The core of the word, "Shīʿa," originates from an Arabic root meaning "to follow" or "a partisan group." Over centuries, this specific historical designation for the supporters of Ali ibn Abi Talib evolved into the standard English term for the major Islamic tradition that believes leadership of the Muslim community rightfully belonged to him and his designated descendants.
Analysis
The word is a loanword from Arabic, adopted as a single lexical unit into English. It is not productively formed from separable English morphemes.
Examples
The majority of the population in Iran is Shi'ite.
The historical split between Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims originated in a dispute over succession.
She studied the theological differences between Shi'ite and Sunni jurisprudence.