ayatollah

American  

[ah-yuh-toh-luh] / ˌɑ yəˈtoʊ lə /

noun

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

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ayatollah British  

/ ˌaɪəˈtɒlə /

noun

1. one of a class of Iranian Shiite religious leaders

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Etymology

Origin of ayatollah

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

Example Sentences

Both are fine ideas, but they would amount to paper promises that the ayatollah would be unlikely to honor.

From The Wall Street Journal

The ayatollahs’ rule was shaped by the bloody eight-year war that Saddam Hussein’s Iraq launched in the aftermath of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

From The Wall Street Journal

Unfortunately for the 86-year-old ayatollah, the devastating war in June called his judgment into question.

From The Wall Street Journal

On Tuesday, he demanded Iran's surrender and issued veiled threats to the ayatollah.

From Salon

Analysts say the aging ayatollah is sufficiently pragmatic to seek to avoid wider conflagration, as long as the proxies will be able to step up.

From Los Angeles Times