caliphate
(ˈkælɪfeɪt)
Also -at.
[f. as prec. + -ate: in F. caliphat, med.L. calīphātus.]
1. The rank, dignity, or office of caliph.
| 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp. s.v., The Caliphate comprehended the power both of the royalty, and priesthood. 1817 Keatinge Trav. I. 314 The grand signior is considered as the head of that religion since the extinction of the caliphat. 1841 Elphinstone Hist. Ind. I. 519 The califate. |
b. The reign or term of office of a caliph.
| 1734 G. Sale Koran Prelim. Disc. 56 Moseilama..had a great party, and was not reduced till the Khalîfat of Abu Becr. 1859 Macaulay Pitt Misc. (1860) II. 359 His short and unreal caliphate. 1869 J. Baldwin Preh. Nations vi. 232 In the year 637, during the califate of Omar. |
2. The dominion of a caliph.
| 1614 Selden Titles Honor 93 Whil'st the Chaliphat remained vndeuided. 1871 Freeman Hist. Ess. i. vi. 140 The Empire even in the East was not a Caliphate. |