noun
or ca·lif ˈkālə̇f also -ˈa-
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English caliphe, califfe, from Middle French calife, from Arabic khalīfah successor, from khalafa to succeed
1. : a successor of Muhammad as temporal and spiritual head of the community and religious faith of Islam — used primarily in historical reference following Turkey's abolition of the caliphate on March 23, 1924
2. : a Muslim political leader claiming rightful succession to the caliphate