Definition of ayatollah
: a religious leader among Shiite Muslims —used as a title of respect especially for one who is not an imam
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Origin and Etymology of ayatollah
Persian āyatollāh, literally, sign of God, from Arabic āyatallāh, from āya sign, miracle + allāh God
First Known Use: 1950
Other Religion (Eastern and Other) Terms
Zen, antinomian, avatar, gnosticism, illuminati, ineffable, karma, koan, mantra
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