Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Nearby Words

AYATOLLAH

 - 3 dictionary results

a⋅ya⋅tol⋅lah

  [ah-yuh-toh-luh]
Use AYATOLLAH in a Sentence
–noun
(among Shiʿites) a title in the religious hierarchy achieved by scholars who have demonstrated highly advanced knowledge of Islamic law and religion.
Origin:
1975–80; < Pers < Ar āyat allāh sign of God; cf. Allah
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To AYATOLLAH
a·ya·tol·lah   (ī'yə-tō'lə, -tō-lä')   
n.   Islam

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

  2. Used as a title for such a leader.


[Persian āyatollāh, from Arabic 'āyatu llāh, sign of God : 'āyatu, bound form of 'āya, sign, Koranic verse; see wy in Semitic roots + allāh, Allah; see Allah.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

ayatollah 
honorific title for an Iranian Shiite religious leader, 1950, from Pers., from Arabic ayatu-llah, lit. "miraculous sign of God."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see AYATOLLAH on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way