Karaite noun & adjective. ['kɛ:rǝʌɪt] Also (earlier) Caraite. E18.
[from Hebrew Qārā'īm scripturalists, from qārā' read: see -ITE¹.]
A. noun. A member of a Jewish sect founded in the 8th cent. and located chiefly in the Crimea and neighbouring areas, and in Israel, which rejects rabbinical tradition in favour of literal interpretation of the Scriptures. E18.
b. adjective. Of or pertaining to this sect. E20.

■ Karaism noun the religious system of the Karaites L19.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲