Mahound

[ muh-hound, -hoond ]

noun

1. Archaic or Literary. an idol; a false god.
2. (in the Middle Ages) a god thought to be worshipped by Muslims.

Mahound

/ məˈhaʊnd; -ˈhuːnd /

noun

1. an archaic name for Mohammed

Word History and Origins

Origin of Mahound¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English Mahoun, Mahound(e), Mahum, from Old French Mahon, short for Mahommet, the Arab prophet Muhammad, whose image was mistakenly thought to be an object of worship; excrescent -d as in astound, compound, and sound; excrescent ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of Mahound¹

C16: from Old French Mahun

Example Sentences

They believed Rushdie insulted the Prophet Muhammad by naming a character Mahound, a medieval corruption of “Muhammad.”

From Washington Times

In addition, Rushdie’s Mahound puts his own words into the angel Gibreel’s mouth and delivers edicts to his followers that conveniently bolster his self-serving purposes.

From Salon

One of them - the most controversial - features a prophet named Mahound, who founds a religion in the desert.

From BBC

But may Mahound and Termagaunt aid me never if I hang him not by the neck, so he give me not fair reason for this deed.

From Project Gutenberg

Hall mentions him in his first satire: “Nor fright the reader with the Pagan vaunt Of mighty Mahound and great Termagaunt.”

From Project Gutenberg