/ ˈkeɪlɪf; NAmE / noun
a title used by Muslim rulers, especially in the past
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French caliphe , from Arabic ḵalīfa meaning deputy (of God) (from the title ḵalīfat Allāh ), or meaning successor (of Muhammad) (from the title ḵalīfat rasūl Allāh of the Messenger of God), from ḵalafa succeed.