Pahlavi

¹

[ pah-luh-vee ]

noun

1. the Indo-European, Iranian language of the Zoroastrian literature of the 3rd to the 10th centuries.
2. the script used in writing this language, derived from the Aramaic alphabet.

Pahlavi

²

or Pah·le·vi

[ pah-luh-vee ]

noun

, plural Pah·la·vis

1. Muhammad Ri·za (or Re·za) [ri-, zah], 1919–80, shah of Iran 1941–79; in exile after 1979 (son of Riza Shah Pahlavi).
2. Riza (or Reza) Shah, 1877–1944, shah of Iran 1925–41.
3. (lowercase) a former gold coin of Iran, equal to 20 rials.

Pahlavi

¹

/ ˈpɑːləvɪ /

noun

1. the Middle Persian language, esp as used in classical Zoroastrian and Manichean literature

Pahlavi

²

/ ˈpɑːləvɪ /

noun

1. PahlaviMohammed Reza19191980MIranianPOLITICS: hereditary ruler Mohammed Reza (ˈriːzə). 1919–80, shah of Iran (1941–79); forced into exile (1979) during civil unrest following which an Islamic republic was established led by the Ayatollah Khomeini
2. PahlaviReza18771944MIranianPOLITICS: hereditary ruler his father, Reza. 1877–1944, shah of Iran (1925–41). Originally an army officer, he gained power by a coup d'état (1921) and was chosen shah by the National Assembly. He reorganized the army and did much to modernize Iran

Word History and Origins

Origin of Pahlavi¹

First recorded in 1765–75, Pahlavi is from the Persian word Pahlavī Parthian

Word History and Origins

Origin of Pahlavi¹

C18: from Persian pahlavī, from Old Persian Parthava Parthia

Example Sentences

Little is known about his childhood, though Iranian accounts suggest Soleimani’s father was a peasant who received some land under the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the monarch who was toppled in the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

From Seattle Times

The CIA now officially describes the 1953 coup it backed in Iran that overthrew its prime minister and cemented the rule of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi as undemocratic.

From Seattle Times

Bahrain has long had tense relations with Iran, which even under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi sought to claim the island.

From Washington Times

Mismanagement of Iran’s water goes back at least to Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, who ruled Iran before being deposed in its 1979 Islamic Revolution.

From New York Times

According to ESPN, before wrestling he was a bodyguard for Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi of Iran.

From BBC