Ayatollah Definition

īyə-tōlə, -tō-lä

noun

A high-ranking Shiite religious authority regarded as worthy of imitation in matters of religious law and interpretation.

American Heritage

A leader of the Shiite sect of the Muslim religion, serving as teacher, judge, and administrator.

Webster's New World

Used as a title for such a leader.

American Heritage

A leader, authority, etc. having much power or influence.

Webster's New World

A religious leader in Twelver Shi'ism; a member of the ’ulama.

Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Ayatollah

Singular:

ayatollah

Plural:

ayatollahs

Persian āyatollāh from Arabic ’āyatu llāh sign of God ’āyatu bound form of ’āya sign, Koranic verse ℵwy in Semitic roots allāh Allah Allah

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Borrowing from Persian آیت‌الله (âyatollâh), from Arabic آية الله ('āyatu-llāh, “sign of God”)

From Wiktionary

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