Karaite
/ˈkɛːrəʌɪt
/noun
A member of a Jewish sect founded in the 8th century and located chiefly in the Crimea and nearby areas, and in Israel, which rejects rabbinical interpretation in favour of a literal interpretation of the scriptures.In Jerusalem, Benneson visited numerous synagogues, and even attended religious services of two Jewish sects: Karaites and Samaritans....
- So well established did this view become among Muslims that it seems to have rubbed off onto the Karaites - a Jewish sect which arose against an Islamic background in eighth-century Iraq.
- It was so popular at one point that in the 10th century the majority of Jews in the Land of Israel were Karaites.
Origin
Early 18th century: from Hebrew Qārā'īm (from qārā' 'read') + -ite1.