Mahometan

1 9.9

Relating to Islam or Muslims, now an old insulting word

adjective
/məˈhɑːmətən/

Slur

: mahometano

The old book used the term Mahometan to describe Islamic customs, which is now considered inappropriate.

Examples

In the eighteenth century, European writers often referred to Muslim scholars as Mahometan philosophers.
The term Mahometan is outdated and offensive; 'Muslim' or 'Islamic' should be used instead.
The Mahometan faith has a rich history.
Many Mahometan traditions are celebrated worldwide.
In the eighteenth century, European writers often referred to Muslim scholars as Mahometan philosophers.
The term Mahometan is outdated and offensive; 'Muslim' or 'Islamic' should be used instead.
The old book used the term Mahometan to describe Islamic customs, which is now considered inappropriate.

Synonyms

Moslem

vsMahometan

Archaic

669 9.3

Relating to Islam or the people who follow it

is more archaic and now considered offensive in modern usage

Islamic

vsMahometan

500 2.5

Relating to Islam, its people, and their culture

focuses on the prophet specifically rather than the broader religion or culture

Surface Forms

Mahometan positive

Morphology

Mahometan = Mahomet (semi-transparent) = Mahomet + an

Formed by the productive suffix '-an' on the archaic proper name 'Mahomet'; the structure is clear historically but the base is archaic and the term is obsolete/offensive for modern learners.

Etymology

Mahometan comes from the old European name Mahomet, their spelling of the prophet Muhammad, plus the ending -an meaning 'related to'. It originally meant 'of Muhammad' or 'of Islam', which explains the meaning, but the term is now old-fashioned and often offensive, so use Muslim or Islamic instead.