transcription, транскрипция: [ i-ˈmäm, ē-ˈ, -ˈmam ]
noun
Usage: often capitalized
Etymology: Arabic imām
Date: 1613
1. : the prayer leader of a mosque
2. : a Muslim leader of the line of Ali held by Shiites to be the divinely appointed, sinless, infallible successors of Muhammad
3. : any of various rulers that claim descent from Muhammad and exercise spiritual and temporal leadership over a Muslim region