wāli

Noun (1)

wali (plural walis)

1. A provincial governor in certain Muslim contexts.
   • For much of the last century, the mountainous region of Swat was ruled as a princely kingdom where a benign autocrat, the wali, bestowed schools for girls, health care for everyone and the chance to get a degree abroad for the talented.2007 November 2, Jane Perlez, “Militants Draw New Front Line Inside Pakistan”, in New York Times

Noun (2)

wali (plural walis)

1. A saint or prophet.
   • You see the shrine was founded in memory of a great Wali, seer, holy man – but apparently a Mohammedan.1974, Lawrence Durrell, Monsieur, Faber & Faber, published 1992, page 130

See all 3 meanings of wali