ayatollah

[ ah-yuh-toh-luh ]

noun
  1. (among Shiʿites) a title in the religious hierarchy achieved by scholars who have demonstrated highly advanced knowledge of Islamic law and religion.

Origin of ayatollah

1
1975–80; <Persian <Arabic āyat allāh sign of God; cf. Allah

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British Dictionary definitions for ayatollah

ayatollah

/ (ˌaɪəˈtɒlə) /


noun
  1. one of a class of Iranian Shiite religious leaders

Origin of ayatollah

1
via Persian from Arabic, from aya sign + Allah god

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