Ayatollah
/ˌaɪ.əˈtɒl.ə/noun
A senior Shia Muslim religious scholar or cleric, especially one recognized for advanced legal and theological authority.
Did you know?The title became especially prominent in Iran during the twentieth century, where senior ayatollahs could wield enormous religious, legal, and political influence.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Arabic
Arabic
āya
“A sign, token, miracle, or scriptural verse”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
Allāh
“God; the Arabic word for the one God”
Medieval Arabic
Arabic
āyat Allāh
“Sign of God—a reverential title for a major religious authority”
19th–20th Century
Persian
āyatollāh
“A senior Shia cleric recognized for exceptional scholarly authority”
20th Century
English
ayatollah
“An English title for a senior Shia Muslim religious scholar, especially in Iran”