cadi

Where does the word "cadi" come from? It comes from Arabic qada, passing through Arabic before entering English (1600s).

Cadi’s story begins in Arabic: qada meant “to judge.” Meant "to judge, decide, settle". Within Arabic, it grew into qadi by medieval. Named the judge who presided over Islamic courts. It reached English by 1600s as cadi / kadi. Entered English through European contact with Ottoman and North African legal systems. Today, cadi means a civil judge in a Muslim country who administers justice according to Islamic law.

1. Stage 1 · Arabic · medieval qada "to judge", meant "to judge, decide, settle".
2. Stage 2 · Arabic · medieval qadi "judge", named the judge who presided over Islamic courts.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s cadi / kadi "Islamic civil judge", entered English through European contact with Ottoman and North African legal systems.