djinn
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun 1. A supernatural spirit in Islamic belief: In Islam, a djinn (also spelled jinn or genie) is an intelligent spirit, created from smokeless fire, that is invisible to humans but can appear in various forms, including human or animal shapes. Djinn are believed to inhabit the earth and possess free will, capable of being good, evil, or neutral, and can influence mankind.
Examples of Usage
- According to Islamic tradition, djinn were created before humankind.
- The story tells of a powerful djinn who granted three wishes.
- Some folklore describes djinn living in remote places like deserts or ruins.
Advanced Usage
- The plural forms: The word "djinn" itself is often used as a plural (e.g., "an army of djinn"). The singular form is typically jinni or djinni.
- Conceptual usage: The term can be used metaphorically to describe a powerful, unseen force or influence.
- The djinn of nationalism was unleashed from the bottle.
Variants and Related Words
- Jinn: The more common transliteration from Arabic.
- Genie: The English form popularized by folklore and literature (e.g., ), often associated with a spirit bound to an object like a lamp who grants wishes.
- Djinni/Jinni: The singular form.
- Ifrit: A powerful and often malicious class of djinn in Islamic mythology.
Synonyms
- Spirit
- Demon (Note: "Demon" in English often implies an evil spirit, while djinn can be good or evil.)
- Supernatural being
Related Idioms and Phrases
- To release a genie/djinn from the bottle: To unleash a powerful force or set in motion a chain of events that is difficult or impossible to control.
- His controversial speech released a political djinn that could not be put back in the bottle.
Noun
- (Islam) an invisible spirit mentioned in the Koran and believed by Muslims to inhabit the earth and influence mankind by appearing in the form of humans or animals