softa

A religious student, especially in Turkey

Noun

  1. A religious student, especially in Turkey
    • The softas, concerning whose exploits we have heard so much of late, are the theological students who wish to become ulemas, or, literally, learned men. - 1896, Eliakim Littell, Robert S. Littell, Living Age, volume...
  2. A fanatic adherent, blind follower

Origin

From Ottoman Turkish صوفته (“theology student”) (modern Turkish softa), from Classical Persian سوخته (sōxta).

Forms

softas