maulvi

American  

[moul-vee] / ˈmaʊl vi /

Also molvi

noun

1. (in India) an expert in Islamic law: used especially as a term of respectful address among Muslims.

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Etymology

Origin of maulvi

First recorded in 1770–80; from Hindi, Urdu maulvī, from Persian mawlavī, from Arabic mawlawī, equivalent to mawlā “lord, master” + -ī a suffix indicating relationship or origin; mullah

Example Sentences

After persistent knocking, a blind maulvi, Mohammed Nadeem, led by a young student, agrees to speak.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 20, 2017

“The maulvi was sitting in the chair like he was the boss, and I was told to stay standing,” he says.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 20, 2017