mullah

American  

[muhl-uh, mool-uh, moo-luh] / ˈmʌl ə, ˈmʊl ə, ˈmu lə /

Also mulla,

noun

1. (in Islamic countries) a title of respect for a person who is learned in, teaches, or expounds the sacred law.

2. (in Turkey) a provincial judge.

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mullah British  

/ ˈmʌlə, ˈmʊlə, ˈmɒlə /

noun

1. (formerly) a Muslim scholar, teacher, or religious leader: also used as a title of respect

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Etymology

Origin of mullah

1605–15; < Persian or Urdu mullā < Arabic mawlā; maulvi

Example Sentences

A cartoon in the Chicago Tribune portrayed Mr. Civiletti addressing the International Court of Justice while an Iranian mullah rips away at his trousers.

From Washington Post • Oct. 18, 2022

He also defended his actually making a personal call with a Taliban mullah, which was noted as having previously been “unthinkable” in media reports at the time.

From Washington Times • Sep. 22, 2022

Soon after, the mullah, loud and angry, came over the mosque loudspeaker.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 29, 2021

The mullah, wearing shiny leather loafers, jumped out of the vehicle, climbed onto the back and affixed the flag to the antenna.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 20, 2021

Bowing my head to the ground, I recited half-forgotten verses from the Koran—verses the mullah had made us commit to mem­ory in Kabul—and asked for kindness from a God I wasn’t sure existed.

From "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini