ayatollah
[ ah-yuh-toh-luh ]
/ ˌɑ yəˈtoʊ lə /
Save This Word!
noun
(among Shiʿites) a title in the religious hierarchy achieved by scholars who have demonstrated highly advanced knowledge of Islamic law and religion.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON AFFECT VS. EFFECT!
In effect, this quiz will prove whether or not you have the skills to know the difference between “affect” and “effect.”
Question 1 of 7
The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.
Origin of ayatollah
1975–80; <Persian <Arabic āyat allāh sign of God; cf. Allah
Words nearby ayatollah
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for ayatollah
British Dictionary definitions for ayatollah
ayatollah
/ (ˌaɪəˈtɒlə) /
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