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Imam

//ˈiːmɑːm// name, noun

Definitions

Proper Noun
  1. 1
    A surname from Arabic.
Noun
  1. 1
    One who leads the salat prayers in a mosque.

    "Now it chanced that in one of the mosques was an Imam. (footnote: The person specially appointed to lead the prayers of the congregation and paid out of the endowed revenues of the mosque to which he is attached)"

  2. 2
    (Islam) the man who leads prayers in a mosque; for Shiites an imam is a recognized authority on Islamic theology and law and a spiritual guide wordnet
  3. 3
    A Shi'ite Muslim leader descended from the prophet Muhammad and functioning as his spiritual successor. capitalized, usually
  4. 4
    A Shi'ite Muslim leader descended from the prophet Muhammad and functioning as his spiritual successor.; One of the Twelve imams, descendants of Muhammad from the seventh to ninth centuries CE who lived exemplary lives. capitalized, usually

Etymology

Etymology 1

Borrowed from Arabic إِمَام (ʔimām, “leader”).

Etymology 2

Occupational surname, borrowed from Arabic إمام (ʔimām). This surname is mostly found in Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

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