Browse dictionary
Showing 1-20 of 280 results in 280 entries
1. abbasi, n. View full entry 1615
...A Persian silver coin (originally weighing approx. 9.33 grams) equivalent in value to two mahmudi (mahmudia) or 200 dinars, first issued by the Safavid Shah Abbas I (reigned ...
2. abdest, n. View full entry 1667
...The ritual washing of parts of the body before prayer or handling the Qur'an; = woodoo Also: the water used in this washing....
3. achar, n. View full entry 1598
...In South Asian cookery: a type of pickle or relish made from fruit or vegetables preserved in spiced oil or vinegar....
4. Afghan, n. and adj. View full entry 1625
...A Pashtun, in later use esp. one from Afghanistan.More generally: a native or inhabitant of Afghanistan; a person of Afghani descent. Cf. Afghani3....
5. Afghani, n. and adj. View full entry 1826
...The Eastern Iranian language spoken by the Afghan people; = Pashto...
6. Afridi, n. and adj. View full entry 1784
...A member of a Pashto-speaking people inhabiting the mountainous region between Pakistan and Afghanistan....
7. Aga Khan, n. View full entry 1827
...(The title of) the spiritual leader of the Nizari sect of Ismaili Muslims. Hence: a person who resembles the Aga Khan in wealth, power, influence, etc....
8. Ahriman, n. View full entry 1727
...The evil spirit or principle in the doctrine of Zoroastrianism, the opponent of Ahura Mazda....
9. akhund, n. View full entry 1712
...Esp. in Iran (formerly Persia), Pakistan, and Afghanistan: a religious leader, teacher, or scholar. Also as a title. Cf. mujtahid...
10. alif, n. View full entry 1727
...The first letter of the Arabic and Persian alphabets, corresponding to Roman a, and having the form ا when written or printed. Cf. aleph1. Also...
11. amildar, n. View full entry 1799
...In South Asia: a non-European factor, esp. a collector of revenue....
12. anderoon, n. View full entry 1840
...The apartments of a (Persian) harem; also, any inner room of a house....
13. ankus, n. View full entry 1886
...In India, an elephant-goad. Also attrib....
14. attar, n. View full entry 1798
...A very fragrant, volatile, essential oil obtained from the petals of the rose; fragrant essence (of roses)....
15. ayatollah, n. View full entry 1950
...(An honorific title for) an Iranian Shiite religious leader....
16. Babi, n. and adj. View full entry 1850
...A member of a religious movement founded in Persia (modern Iran) in 1844 by Sayyid Ali Muhammad of Shiraz (‘the Bab’), which emphasizes the coming of a new prophet or...
17. badam, n. View full entry 1798
...In South Asia: an almond. Freq. attrib....
18. baft, n. View full entry 1598
...A kind of coarse and cheap (generally cotton) fabric, originally of oriental manufacture, but now made in Great Britain for export, especially to Africa....
19. Baha'i, n. View full entry 1889
...A follower of Baha-ullah (181792) and his son Abdul Baha (18441921), propagators of a religion based on Babism; the doctrine and practice of this...
20. Bairam, n. View full entry 1599
...The name of two Muslim festivals—the Lesser Bairam, lasting three days, which follows the fast of Ramadan, and the Greater Bairam, seventy days later, lasting four days....
