ayatollah

[ah-yuh-toh-luh]

noun

(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

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for ayatollah

Contemporary Examples of ayatollah

“Ayatollah Khomeini had a stroke in 1986 and became comatose,” says Khalaji.
Ayatollah Khamenei’s Cancer Scare
IranWire
September 20, 2014
When the Islamic Republic finally agreed to peace, its leader, Ayatollah Khomeini, likened it to drinking a cup of poison.
Israel Must Take a More Diplomatic Approach Toward Iran
David Patrikarakos
December 17, 2013
But John is sure that he can nurture Ayatollah to bring out the best in him, if only Tzipi and Saeb will do their best for Salaam.
If The Peace Talks Were A Movie
Matthew Kalman
December 12, 2013
Already in the womb, little Ayatollah is displaying worrisome signs.
If The Peace Talks Were A Movie
Matthew Kalman
December 12, 2013
It's for the crime of apostasy (in this case, writing a novel) that Ayatollah Khomenei sent death squads for Salman Rushdie.
Don't Let the Maccabees Win
Matt Lerner
December 4, 2013

British Dictionary definitions for ayatollah

ayatollah

noun

one of a class of Iranian Shiite religious leaders

Word Origin for ayatollah

via Persian from Arabic, from aya sign + Allah god

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for ayatollah

honorific title for an Iranian Shiite religious leader, 1950, from Persian, from Arabic ayatu-llah, literally "miraculous sign of God."