Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Shiah \Shi"ah\, n.
   Same as {Shiite}.

Shiite \Shi"ite\, Shiah \Shi"ah\, n. [Ar. sh[=i]'a[=i]a follower
   of the sect of Ali, fr. sh[=i]'at, sh[=i]'ah, a multitude
   following one another in pursuit of the same object, the sect
   of Ali, fr. sh[=a]'a to follow.]
   A member of that branch of the Mohammedans to which the
   Persians belong. They reject the first three caliphs, and
   consider Ali as being the first and only rightful successor
   of Mohammed. They do not acknowledge the Sunna, or body of
   traditions respecting Mohammed, as any part of the law, and
   on these accounts are treated as heretics by the Sunnites, or
   orthodox Mohammedans.

Source : WordNet®

Shiah
     n : one of the two main branches of orthodox Islam; mainly in
         Iran [syn: {Shia}, {Shiah Islam}, {the Shiites}]