Main Entry: aya·tol·lah

Pronunciation: \ˌī-ə-ˈtō-lə, -ˈtä-, -ˈtə-, ˈī-ə-ˌ\

Function: noun

Etymology: Persian āyatollāh, literally, sign of God, from Arabic āyatallāh, from āya sign, miracle + allāh God

Date: 1950

: a religious leader among Shiite Muslims —used as a title of respect especially for one who is not an imam