Dictionary entry

Ulema (2)

Webster's Dictionary 1913

‖U′le‐ma″ (?), n. [Turk. & Ar. 'ulamā the wise or learned men, pl. of 'ālim wise, learned.] (Mohammedanism) A college or body composed of the hierarchy (the imams, muftis, and cadis). That of Turkey alone now has political power; its head is the sheik ul Islam.