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n. pl. A·la·wites also A·la·wis or Alawi A member of a branch of Shiism practiced especially in northwest Syria and adjacent parts of Turkey and Lebanon. [Arabic 'alawī, follower of Ali, Alawite (from 'Alī, Ali ibn Abi Talib + -awī, variant of -ī, adj. suff.) + -ITE1.] |
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