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Synonyms

dybbuk

American  
[dee-book, dib-uhk] / diˈbuk, ˈdɪb ək /
Or dibbuk

noun

Jewish Folklore.

plural

dybbuks, dybbukim
  1. a demon, or the soul of a dead person, that enters the body of a living person and directs the person's conduct, exorcism being possible only by a religious ceremony.


dybbuk British  
/ diˈbuk, ˈdɪbək /

noun

  1. Judaism (in the folklore of the cabala) the soul of a dead sinner that has transmigrated into the body of a living person

"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

Etymology

Origin of dybbuk

First recorded in 1900–05; from Yiddish dibek, from Hebrew dibbūq, derivative of dābhaq “cleave (to)”; spelling dybbuk is a Polish transliteration of the Hebrew word

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That’s when she finds out her new girlfriend may be possessed by a dybbuk.

From Los Angeles Times

“She is dealing with the death of her father and her mother’s depression — and then there’s a wandering spirit or dybbuk that is ornery and disruptive,” said Higuera.

From Washington Post

“If this is Yakov’s dybbuk, why do you think he possessed you?”

From Literature

Parents must work together to save their young daughter from a dybbuk, a malevolent spirit that inhabits and ultimately devours its human host.

From Los Angeles Times

He is a dybbuk, who rather than being ashamed, guilty or motivated to help our pockmarked nation evolve, looks at the world without hope or imagination.

From Washington Post