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Glite Dictionary
Bahaism

Bahaism

9.9
A religion founded in Iran in 1863 that teaches the spiritual unity of all people
  • noun
  • /bəˈhɑːɪzəm/
: bahaismo
  • Founded in Iran in 1863, Bahaism teaches that spiritual truth transcends religious divisions.

Examples

  • Bahaism has never been recognized as a religion in Iran.

    Academic text (2007)

  • Wilson hints at these Scripturalists in Bahaism and its claims, stating that "some adherents regard Bahaism as Christianity continued...."

    Academic text (2004)

  • Wilson hints at these Scripturalists in Bahaism and its claims, stating that "some adherents regard Bahaism as Christianity continued...."

    Academic text (2004)

  • Bahaism promotes the idea that all religions share a common foundation of truth.

  • Many people around the world practice Bahaism, focusing on the unity of humanity.

Surface Forms

Bahaism singular
Bahaisms plural

Morphology

Bahaism = Baha (semi-transparent) = Baha + ism

The suffix '-ism' signals a belief system, which is clear, but the root is a proper name (Baha) that will be unknown to many learners, making full meaning only partly recoverable.

Etymology

Bahaism comes from the name Bahá, a Persian word meaning 'glory', plus the ending -ism meaning 'a belief' or 'system'. So Bahaism is the religion of the followers of Bahá, and the name helps you remember it began with a teacher whose name means 'glory'.