Also -at. [f. as prec. + -ATE: in F. caliphat, med.L. calīphātus.]
1. The rank, dignity or office of caliph.
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., s.v., The Caliphate comprehended the power both of the royalty, and priesthood.
1817. Keatinge, Trav., I. 314. The grand signior is considered as the head of that religion since the extinction of the caliphat.
1841. Elphinstone, Hist. Ind., I. 519. The califate.
b. The reign or term of office of a caliph.
1734. Sale, Koran, Prelim. Disc. 56. Moseilama … had a great party, and was not reduced till the Khalifat of Abu Becr.
1859. Macaulay, Pitt Misc. (1860), II. 359. His short and unreal caliphate.
1869. J. D. Baldwin, Preh. Nations, vi. 232. In the year 637, during the califate of Omar.
2. The dominion of a caliph.
1614. Selden, Titles Honor, 93. Whilst the Chaliphat remained vndeuided.
1871. Freeman, Hist. Ess., I. vi. 140. The Empire even in the East was not a Caliphate.
