ʿulama

or u·le·ma

[ oo-luh-mah ]

plural noun

, Islam.

1. the doctors of Muslim religion and law.

ulama

¹

/ ˈuːlɪmə /

noun

1. a body of Muslim scholars or religious leaders
2. a member of this body

ulama

²

/ ˌuːˈlɑːmə /

noun

1. a Meso-American team ball game, with a history dating back to as early as 1500 bc , played with a solid rubber ball on a long narrow court

Word History and Origins

Origin of ʿulama¹

First recorded in 1680–90, ʿulama is from the Arabic word ʿulamā learned men

Word History and Origins

Origin of ʿulama¹

C17: from Arabic `ulamā scholars, from `alama to know

Origin of ʿulama²

from Nahuatl Ullamalitztli ball game