zindikitehttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zindikite_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_useZindikite, n.
Revised 2018

Zindikitenoun

Now rare and historical.
  1. 1694–
    A member or adherent of an Islamic sect in Persia or the Ottoman Empire; (also occasionally) a member or adherent of a pre-Islamic Persian sect. Cf. Zindiq n.
    In 18th cent. use, apparently designating the same group referred to in the early quotations at Zindiq n., and explicitly interpreted as a heretical Islamic sect.
    1. 1694
      Zindikites, Mahometan Hereticks, or rather Atheists, because they neither believe Providence, nor a Resurrection of the Dead.
      translation of L. Moréri, Great Hist. Dictionary
    2. 1739
      The Zindikits [French Zindikites] are said to be the Sadducees of Mahometism, denying Providence and the Resurrection,..and following the Magi's Book called Zend.
      translation of Ceremonies & Religious Customs of Various Nations vol. VII. 144
    3. 1755
      The mahometans have a sect which they call zendikites, who are said to be the sadducees of mahometanism, denying providence and the resurrection, believing the transmigration of souls, and following the zend of the magi.
      New & Complete Dictionary of Arts & Sciences vol. IV. 3431/1
    4. 1821
      There is a sect among the Mahometans, called the Zindikites, who believe neither in the providence of the sovereign power, nor in the immortality of the soul.
      C. Bucke, On Beauties, Harmonies, & Sublimities of Nature vol. IV. 306
    5. 1877
      Hareth, son of Amr,..who is said by Hamza to have been a Zendikite, was of Kendite race.
      W. Smith & H. Wace, Dictionary of Christian Biography vol. I. 478/1
    6. 1889
      I am writing an article upon the ‘Zindikites’.
      L. Keith, Hurricane in Petticoats vol. I. xii. 253
    7. 2006
      Della Valle's account he too saw as evidence that Abu Muslim's teaching and that of the Zindikites were indeed akin to Spinozism.
      J. I. Israel, Enlightenment Contested xxiv. 638

Originally published as part of the entry for Zindiq, n.

Zindikite, n. was revised in June 2018.

Zindikite, n. was last modified in September 2024.