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caliphal

caliphal

1 9.9
Relating to a Muslim ruler, their position, or the period when they ruled
  • adjective
  • /kəˈlɪfəl/
: califal
  • The rulers of the caliphal empire implemented advanced systems of governance.

They used these rivers as ways of reaching territories of Byzantine and of caliphal influence.

Examples

  • During the caliphal period, trade flourished across the Middle East.

  • Nevertheless, as I said, Islamic Spain represents the first piece of the caliphal empire to break off.

  • They used these rivers as ways of reaching territories of Byzantine and of caliphal influence.

  • Rather than seeking to consolidate his authority and government, al-Mamun likely took his caliphal legitimacy for granted and believed that it gave him license to impose his intellectual authority on the community.

    Academic text (1993)
  • The architecture of the ancient mosque reflects its caliphal heritage.

Surface Forms

caliphal positive

Morphology

caliphal = caliph (transparent) = caliph + al

This is a standard relational adjective meaning 'relating to a caliph' formed transparently from the noun 'caliph' plus the adjective-forming suffix '-al'.

Etymology

Caliphal comes from caliph, from Arabic khalīfah, meaning 'successor'. So caliphal describes things that belong to a caliph or to his rule, as in a caliphate.