alfaqui

English

Alternative forms

• alfaki, alfakih, alfaquin

Etymology

From Spanish alfaquí, from Arabic الفَقِيه (al-faqīh, “the theologian”), from فَقِهَ (faqiha, “to be wise”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /alfəˈkiː/, /alfaˈkiː/

Noun

alfaqui (plural alfaquis)

1. (historical) An Islamic cleric, an expert in Islamic law and jurisprudence, especially in medieval and early modern Spain. [from 17th c.]
   • 1632, J. Morgan, A Compleat History of the present seat of war in Africa:

     It was the Head of the Christians Alfaqui, or Priest; so they termed the Cardinal.

   • 1779, Henry Swinburne, Travels through Spain:

     The Alcayde found the prince playing at chess with an Alfaqui or priest.

   • 1852, Washington Irving, Tales from the Alhambra:

     The Court of Lions was thronged with guards and courtiers and alfaquis, as in the old times of the Moors […]

Related terms

• faki
• fiqh

Translations

Islamic cleric

• Spanish: alfaquí (es) m

References

• “alfaqui”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.