islamico

Islámico or islamico is an adjective used in several Romance languages to denote relation to Islam. In Italian, the form is islamico; in Spanish, islámico; and in Portuguese, islâmico. The English equivalent is Islamic. The term derives from Islam, the religion of over a billion adherents, and uses the standard -ico suffix to form adjectives. Diacritical marks vary by language: islámico in Spanish, islâmico in Portuguese, and islamico in Italian.

Usage and scope: The word functions as a descriptive label across culture, history, law, and theology. It appears in expressions such as arte islámico (Islamic art) or arte islamico, arquitectura islámica/islamica, derecho islámico or direito islâmico, historia islámica or storia islamica. In scholarly and general writing, islamico is not a proper noun but a modifier describing things related to Islam.

Notes: In English-language contexts, Islamic is typically preferred; the Romance-language form is used when quoting or translating titles or discussions in those languages. The term may appear in historical or cultural discussions about civilizations where Islam has played a central role, such as regions in the Middle East, North Africa, parts of Iberia during the Middle Ages, and parts of Asia and Africa with Muslim communities.

See also: Islam; Islamic art; Islamic architecture; Islamic law; Islamic history.