U*le"ma (?), n. [Ar. 'ulemA the wise or learned men, pl. of 'Alim wise, learned, fr. alima to know.]
A college or corporation in Turkey composed of the hierarchy, namely, the imams, or ministers of religion, the muftis, or doctors of law, and the cadis, or administrators of justice.
© Webster 1913
U`le*ma" (?), n. [Turk. & Ar. 'ulamA the wise or learned men, pl. of 'Alim wise, learned.] (Mohammedanism)
A college or body composed of the hierarchy (the imams, muftis, and cadis). That of Turkey alone now has political power; its head is the sheik ul Islam.
© Webster 1913