Mohammedanism

Alternative forms

 * ,, , , ; Mohamedanism; Mohametanism; Muhamedanism, Mohammetanism, Mahommetanism

Etymology
From the earlier form ; equivalent to ; compare, coined in the 17th century after French.

Proper noun

 * 1)  The religion introduced by Muhammad: Islam.

Usage notes
The terms Mohammedan and Mohammedanism have been largely replaced by Muslim and Islam since the 1950s, and are now sometimes considered offensive, though some authors continue to use Mohammedanism as a technical term for the religious system (of Islam) as opposed to the theological concept of that exists within that system. The terms are sometimes said to be offensive because they suggest that a human being is central to Muslims' religion, and/or because they parallel the formation, and thus supposedly equate Muhammad and Christ.