bismillah

[ bis-mil-uh ]

interjection

, Arabic.

1. in the name of Allah.

Bismillah

/ ˌbɪsmɪˈlaː /

interjection

1. the words which preface all except one of the surahs of the Koran, used by Muslims as a blessing before eating or some other action

Word History and Origins

Origin of bismillah¹

shortened from Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim , from Arabic, literally: in the name of God, the merciful and compassionate

Example Sentences

These had their throats cut, with the usual formula, "Bismillah!"

From Project Gutenberg

They instantly set about their ablutions, and began to repeat the Bismillah.

From Project Gutenberg

The meal then began with the Bismillah--'In the name of the most merciful God'--for grace.

From Project Gutenberg

Every one sat closely around the table, and all said "Bismillah" before eating, which is the Mohammedan way of saying grace.

From Project Gutenberg

Ejaculating ‘Bismillah’—the Moslem grace—we all sat round it, and dipped equal hands in the dishes set before us.

From Project Gutenberg