chiite

from the Arabic شيعة (« partisan group »). In the Quran, this term is used several times in this sense. For example, in verse 28:15 where the partisans of Moses are described as Shiites. In another place, Abraham is introduced as a Shiite of Noah (Surah As-Saffat, verse 83). At the beginning of Islamic history, the term 'Shiite' was used in its original or literal sense to refer to partisans of different individuals. For example, early Islamic history spoke of Shiites of Ali ibn Abi Talib and others of Shiites of Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan. However, the term gradually acquired the secondary or technical meaning of partisans of Ali, those who believe in his imamate.