shaitan

plural shaitans · alternative shaytan · alternative sheytân · alternative sheitan

1. IslamA demon, devil, or evil jinn.

   […] hence, we are always malā'ika (angels), forgetting that ashayṭān was once a malāk (angel).

   2014, Zuckermann, Ghil‘ad, Burning issues in Afro-Asiatic linguistics, page 141

   1 more example

   A man and a jinni became friends. One day, the man asked the jinni, 'How come you look like a real human being?' [The jinni answered,]'We... shayāṭīn 'devils/demons' appear to people in whatever form we want, and we disappear whenever we want.'.

   2014, Zuckermann, Ghil‘ad, Burning issues in Afro-Asiatic linguistics, page 140

2. IndiaarchaicA dust storm.

   The dust borne in these shaitans of wind is often carried for vast distances […]

   1925, Henry Michael Collins, From pigeon post to wireless, page 158

   1 more example

   Dust columns are called shaitans or devils by the Beloochees, who have a superstitious feeling with regard to them.

   1888, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society

alternative Al-Shaytaan

1. IslamIblis, Satan.

   He thanks Allah for his mercy to men in sending Mohammed the Prophet, who gave the world the True Belief, and he curses Shaitan, who wages war against Allah and his children.

   1904, S. L. Bensusan, Morocco

   1 more example

   Beside him two Egyptian artillerymen with their throats cut were sobbing out their lives upon the ground. "Who lays the gun this time?" asked the fierce chief, glaring at the frightened gunners. "Here, thou black-browed child of Shaitan, aim, and aim for thy life."

   1893, Arthur Conan Doyle, The Green Flag