[ 'dʒi:ni ]
■ noun ( plural genii 'dʒi:nɪʌɪ ) (in Arabian folklore) a jinn or spirit, especially one imprisoned within a bottle or oil lamp and capable of granting wishes when summoned.
Origin
C17 (denoting a guardian or protective spirit): from Fr. génie , from L. genius (see genius ), adopted in current sense because of its resemblance to Arab. jinnī 'jinn'.