‖ jinn, n. (prop. pl.)
(dʒɪn)
Also 7 dgen, 9 ginn, dschin, djin, jin.
[a. Arab. jinn, collect. pl., demons, spirits, angels; sing. jinnī (see next).]
In Muslim demonology, an order of spirits lower than the angels, said to have the power of appearing in human and animal forms, and to exercise supernatural influence over men. More commonly used as a sing. to denote one of this class. a. (as sing.).
| 1684 Tavernier's Trav. II. 67 Some Dgen or evil spirit. 1822 Byron Juan vi. xlviii, Giaours, and Ginns, and Gouls in hosts. 1838 Torrens Arab. Nts. I. 16 Tale of the Merchant and the Jin [1841 Lane I. 44 Story of the Merchant and the Jinnee]. a 1845 Hood Drop of Gin i, Ghost and vampyre, demon and Jin! 1859 Beaton Jews in East I. ix. 317 The Dschins grew weary or refractory. |
b. (as pl.).
| 1841 Lane Arab. Nts. I. Notes to Introd. 30 The species of Jinn is said to have been created some thousands of years before Adam. 1884 J. Payne Tales fr. Arabic I. 272 Arise, let us depart this place, for it is full of Jinn and Marids. |