1
Stage 1 of 4
khalifa
Arabic · medieval
"successor"
from khalafa, "to succeed"; title of Muhammad's successors as leader of the Muslim community
2
Stage 2 of 4
califa
Medieval Latin · 1100s
"Islamic ruler"
adopted the title into Latin chronicles
3
Stage 3 of 4
caliphe
Old French · 1100s
"caliph"
carried into French from Latin
4
Stage 4 of 4
caliph
English · late 1300s
"supreme Muslim ruler"
settled as the English title for the ruler of a Muslim state
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