(also Shi'a ) / ˈʃɪə; NAmE / noun ( pl. Shia or Shias )
1.
[ U ] one of the two main branches of the Islamic religion
—compare Sunni
2.
[ C ] (also Shi·ite , Shi'ite ) a member of the Shia branch of Islam
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WORD ORIGIN
from Arabic šī'a party (of Ali).