What is "sophta"

Softa \Sof"ta\, n. [Corruption of Per. s[=o]khtah one who burns, is ardent or zealous.] Any one attached to a Mohammedan mosque, esp. a student of the higher branches of theology in a mosque school. [Written also sophta.]

n. (alternative form of softa English)

Sophta is a genus of moths of the Noctuidae family.