Definition

Noun: 1. A member of the Umayyad dynasty: A person belonging to the first hereditary dynasty of Arab Muslim caliphs (661–750 CE), which succeeded the Rightly Guided Caliphs and established its capital in Damascus. 2. The Umayyad dynasty itself: The historical caliphate and ruling family, known for its vast territorial expansion across North Africa, the Iberian Peninsula, and into Central Asia.

Usage Examples

• Noun (referring to a person):
  • The general was a loyal Omayyad who served the caliph in Damascus.
  • Historical accounts describe the Omayyad as a skilled administrator.
• Noun (referring to the dynasty/caliphate):
  • The Omayyad was overthrown by the Abbasid Revolution in 750 CE.
  • Under the Omayyad, the Arabic language was standardized for administrative purposes.

Advanced Usage

• The term is most commonly used in historical and academic contexts to discuss the early period of Islamic empire-building.
• It is often contrasted with the subsequent Abbasid dynasty, which moved the capital to Baghdad.

Variants and Related Words

• Umayyad: This is the more standard and widely used transliteration of the Arabic name (بَنُو أُمَيَّة‎). "Omayyad" is an alternative spelling.
• Omayyad Caliphate: The empire ruled by the dynasty.
• Umayyad Caliph: The title of the ruler, e.g., Caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan.

Synonyms

• Umayyad (the primary synonym)
• Damascus Caliphate (referring to the state based on its capital)

Notes on Meaning

• The core meaning refers specifically to the first major Islamic dynasty after the early caliphs. It is not a general term for any Arab or Islamic ruler.
• The spelling "Omayyad" (with an 'O') is an accepted variant, though "Umayyad" is more prevalent in modern academic writing.

Noun

1. the first dynasty of Arab caliphs whose capital was Damascus