kadi

plural kadis

1. alternativeAlternative spelling of qadi, Islamic judge, particularly (historical) in Ottoman contexts where they initially oversaw local administration as well as Islamic law.

   Each has an imaum, but the kadi is their head, of which dignity he seems not a little proud.

   1836, Robert Huish, Lander's Travels

   2 more examples

   "You shall go to Mecca when you grow up, and become a Hadji, and when you come back the high kadi shall take you in the mosque and make a kateeb of you," said I. "Now put your forehead to the ground and thank the good Allah that the kuching had eaten dog before he got you."

   1898, Rounsevelle Wildman, Tales of the Malayan Coast

   To this the Jew agreed, and the two went together to the great hall, in which the kadi was administering justice.

   1907, Various, The Olive Fairy Book