{ Shi"ite (?), Shi"ah (?) }, n. [Ar. sh'aa follower of the sect of Ali,
fr. sh'at, sh'ah, a multitude following one another in pursuit of the
same object, the sect of Ali, fr. sh'a to follow.] A member of that
branch of the Mohammedans to which the Persians belong. They reject the
first three caliphs, and consider Ali as being the first and only
rightful successor of Mohammed. They do not acknowledge the Sunna, or
body of traditions respecting Mohammed, as any part of the law, and on
these accounts are treated as heretics by the Sunnites, or orthodox
Mohammedans.
{ Shi*ka"ree, ||Shi*ka"ri } (?) n. [Hind.] A sportsman; esp., a native
hunter. [India]