caliph

Where does the word "caliph" come from? It comes from Arabic khalifa, passing through Medieval Latin and Old French before entering English (late 1300s).

Caliph’s story begins in Arabic: khalifa meant “successor.” From khalafa, "to succeed"; title of Muhammad's successors as leader of the Muslim community. By 1100s, the word had taken hold in Medieval Latin as califa. Adopted the title into Latin chronicles. From there it passed into Old French as caliphe by 1100s. Carried into French from Latin. It reached English by late 1300s as caliph. First recorded before 1393 in the work of the poet John Gower, after crusade chronicles had made the Arabic title familiar in Latin and French. Today, caliph means historically, the chief civil and religious ruler of a Muslim state, regarded as a successor of Muhammad.

1. Stage 1 · Arabic · medieval khalifa "successor", from khalafa, "to succeed"; title of Muhammad's successors as leader of the Muslim community.
2. Stage 2 · Medieval Latin · 1100s califa "Islamic ruler", adopted the title into Latin chronicles.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · 1100s caliphe "caliph", carried into French from Latin.
4. Stage 4 · English · late 1300s caliph "supreme Muslim ruler", first recorded before 1393 in the work of the poet John Gower, after crusade chronicles had made the Arabic title familiar in Latin and French.