Dunmeh
/ˈdʌn.mɛ/noun
A member of a Jewish messianic sect whose followers publicly converted to Islam while secretly maintaining elements of Sabbatean Jewish belief.
Did you know?The Dunmeh emerged after the 17th-century mystic Sabbatai Zevi converted to Islam in 1666, creating a secretive religious movement shaped by public conformity and hidden faith.
Etymological Timeline
17th Century
Ottoman Turkish
Dönme
“One who turns, changes sides, or converts”
1666
Ottoman Turkish
Dönme
“A follower associated with Sabbatai Zevi who converted publicly to Islam”
17th–18th Century
Ottoman Turkish
Dönmeler
“The turners or converts; the community’s plural designation”
18th–19th Century
English
Dönmeh
“An English rendering of the Ottoman Turkish name for the sect”
19th–20th Century
English
Dunmeh
“Variant English spelling for a member of the Sabbatean crypto-religious community”
Modern English
English
Dunmeh
“A member of the historical Sabbatean group, especially associated with Salonica”