Ribat
/ˈriː.bæt/noun
A fortified frontier outpost or monastery in medieval Islamic lands.
Did you know?In medieval Islamic history, a ribat could be both a military watchpost and a spiritual retreat, blurring the line between defense and devotion.
Etymological Timeline
Arabic
Ar
رِبَاط (ribāṭ)
“A tying, binding, fastening; later a frontier fort or garrison-post”
Early Islamic Period
Ar
رِبَاط (ribāṭ)
“A fortified place on the frontier, often associated with religious devotion and guarding the border”
Medieval Latin
Lt
ribat
“A frontier fort or religious station in Muslim lands, borrowed from Arabic”
Middle English
En
ribat
“A fortified frontier post in Islamic territory”
Modern English
En
ribat
“A fortified frontier monastery or outpost in historical Islamic contexts”