noun
or is·ma·'i·li ˌizmäˈē(ˌ)lē, ˌism-, -məˈē- ; also is·ma·ili·an -_lēən
( -s )
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: Ismaili, Isma'ili from Arabic Isma'īlīy, from Isma'īl died A.D.760 son of the sixth imam Jafar al-Sadiq and in the opinion of the Ismailis his true successor; Ismailian from Arabic Isma'īlīy + English -an
: one of a Shi'a sect composed of those who recognize the Aga Khan as imam