mullah

[ muhl-uh, moo l-uh, moo-luh ]

/ ˈmʌl ə, ˈmʊl ə, ˈmu lə /

(in Islamic countries) a title of respect for a person who is learned in, teaches, or expounds the sacred law.

(in Turkey) a provincial judge.

Also mul·la, mollah.

Origin of mullah

1605–15; < Persian or Urdu mullā < Arabic mawlā; see maulvi

mulierty, mulish, mulki, mull, mull over, mullah, mullein, mullein pink, muller, mullered, mullet

These Mullas danced; they crouched down in the dreadful cold, thinking to warm their hands at these uncountable fires.

The Three Mulla-mulgars |Walter De La Mare
These last bear a good character for honesty and courage, but are slaves to the teachings of their mullas.

The Panjab, North-West Frontier Province, and Kashmir |Sir James McCrone Douie

mullah

/ (ˈmʌlə, ˈmʊlə) /

(formerly) a Muslim scholar, teacher, or religious leader: also used as a title of respect

C17: from Turkish molla, Persian and Hindi mulla, from Arabic mawlā master