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Sun·ni

(snē)

1. The branch of Islam that accepts the first four caliphs as rightful successors of Muhammad.

2. pl. Sunni or Sun·nis A Muslim belonging to this branch; a Sunnite.

[Arabic sunnī, adherent of the Sunna, from sunna, customary practice, tradition; see SUNNA.]

Sunni adj.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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