Dönme
/ˈdɒn.meɪ/noun
A member of a Jewish Sabbatean movement whose followers publicly converted to Islam while retaining elements of their religious tradition.
Did you know?The Dönme emerged after Jewish messiah claimant Sabbatai Zevi converted to Islam in 1666, prompting some followers to convert outwardly while preserving distinctive beliefs and practices.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Turkic
Proto-Turkic
*döŋ-
“To turn, revolve, or return; the reconstructed ancestor of the Turkish turning-root.”
Old Anatolian Turkish
Old Turkish
dön-
“To turn, return, or change direction.”
Ottoman Turkish
Ottoman Turkish
dönme
“A turning person, convert, or apostate; later a designation applied to Sabbatean converts to Islam.”
1666
Ottoman Turkish
Dönme
“A name associated with followers of Sabbatai Zevi who publicly adopted Islam after his conversion.”
19th–20th Century
English
Dönmeh / Donmeh
“An English loanword for members of the secretive Sabbatean community, especially in Ottoman and Turkish contexts.”
Modern English
English
Dönme
“A member of the Sabbatean crypto-Jewish movement traditionally associated with Salonica and later Turkey.”