Pahlavi

[ pah-luh-vee ]

/ ˈpɑ ləˌvi /

Save This Word!

noun

the Indo-European, Iranian language of the Zoroastrian literature of the 3rd to the 10th centuries.

the script used in writing this language, derived from the Aramaic alphabet.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of Pahlavi

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

Words nearby Pahlavi

-pagus, pah, Pahang, Pahari, pahautea, Pahlavi, paho, pahoehoe, Pahouin, Pahsien, paid

Other definitions for Pahlavi (2 of 2)

Pahlavi²

or Pah·le·vi

[ pah-luh-vee ]

/ ˈpɑ ləˌvi /

noun, plural Pah·la·vis for 3.

Muhammad Ri·za (or Re·za)

[ri-zah], /rɪˈzɑ/, 1919–80, shah of Iran 1941–79; in exile after 1979 (son of Riza Shah Pahlavi).

Riza (or Reza) Shah, 1877–1944, shah of Iran 1925–41.

(lowercase) a former gold coin of Iran, equal to 20 rials.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Pahlavi in a sentence

The shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, had given in to public clamoring for free elections.
The Little Girl Who Welcomed Mossadegh to New York|Michael Daly|September 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Nor will we allow ourselves to be defined by what the Islamic Republic did in the years following the fall of the Pahlavi dynasty.
What ‘Argo’ Gets Wrong About Iran|Kambiz Atabai|December 31, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Over the years, the Pahlavi era has been hailed for its successes and criticized for its failings.
What ‘Argo’ Gets Wrong About Iran|Kambiz Atabai|December 31, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The spark was U.S. acceptance of the then-recently-deposed Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi onto American soil.
The MEK And 1979 Comparisons|Ali Gharib|September 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Iran has also succumbed over the course of a cruel century, in large part because of the depredations of the Pahlavi dynasty.
Prince Ali Reza Pahlavi Suicide: Tragic End to Iran's Dynasty|Stephen Kinzer|January 5, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The original Avesta, as described in Pahlavi text which have come down to us, contain twenty-one Nasks or books.
The Worlds Greatest Books, Volume XIII.|Various
Its loss, we must remember, is in part compensated by the Pahlavi religious literature of Sassanian days.
Library Of The World's Best Literature, Ancient And Modern, Vol 3|Various
Sweet pahlavi of the Hyperboreans, I will take you as my guide!
The Round Towers of Ireland|Henry O'Brien
He himself admits that he was following a Mohammedan author, who has certainly made a free translation of the Pahlavi text.
The Round Towers of Ireland|Henry O'Brien
The commentary is not written in the Zend language, but in Pahlavi or Persian.
History of Religion|Allan Menzies

British Dictionary definitions for Pahlavi (1 of 2)

Pahlavi¹

/ (ˈpɑːləvɪ) /

noun

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

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

British Dictionary definitions for Pahlavi (2 of 2)

Pahlavi²

Pehlevi

/ (ˈpɑːləvɪ) /

noun

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

Word Origin for Pahlavi

C18: from Persian pahlavī, from Old Persian Parthava Parthia

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012