alfaquin.

Etymology: < (i) Spanish alfaquí Muslim cleric or scholar (c1300), and its etymon (ii) Arabic al-faqīh < al the + faqīh theologian, expert in Islamic law < faqiha to be wise (compare fiqh n.). Compare Middle French, French alfaqui (1574; earlier as †alphachi , †alphace , †alphache (all 1553); < Spanish, perhaps via Italian †alfacqui : see below), Portuguese alfaqui (13th cent.), Italian †alfacqui (1537 in a translation of a Spanish work, or earlier). Compare later faki n.In Muslim scholarship, the occupations of theologian and of jurist are not distinguished, since Muslim law is based on the Qur'an. In form alfakins probably after post-classical Latin †alfaquinus (1547 or earlier, chiefly in Spanish sources; < Spanish alfaquí ). Compare Spanish †alfaquín (end of the 14th cent.; apparently rare after 17th cent.), †alfaquines , plural (1370; the much more frequent, and current, Spanish plural form is alfaquíes ); also French †alfaquin (1676; in later use chiefly in dictionaries; < post-classical Latin alfaquinus ). In form alfaquir apparently influenced by, or confused with, fakir n.