sabbatical year

American  

noun

1. Also called sabbatical leave.  (in a school, college, university, etc.) a year, usually every seventh, of release from normal teaching duties granted to a professor, as for study or travel.

2. Chiefly Biblical. a yearlong period to be observed by Jews once every seven years, during which the fields were to be left untilled and all agricultural labors were to be suspended. Leviticus 25.

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sabbatical year British  

noun

1. (often capitals) Bible a year during which the land was to be left uncultivated, debts annulled, etc, supposed to be observed every seventh year by the ancient Israelites according to Leviticus 25

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Etymology

Origin of sabbatical year

First recorded in 1625–35

Example Sentences

They must not bring for an offering the two pigeons of one with an issue, or the two pigeons after childbirth bought with money of the Sabbatical year.

From Hebrew Literature by Wilson, Epiphanius

Men must not build terraces on the face of the hills on the eve of the Sabbatical year, when the rains have ceased, because that is preparation for the Sabbatical year.

From Hebrew Literature by Wilson, Epiphanius

Men must not cut down a young sycamore in the Sabbatical year, because that is labor.”

From Hebrew Literature by Wilson, Epiphanius

There are three countries to be public property in the Sabbatical year: Judah and beyond Jordan and Galilee; and each is divided into three parts: Upper Galilee, Lower Galilee, and the Vale.

From Hebrew Literature by Wilson, Epiphanius

They must not anoint vessels with oil of the Sabbatical year.

From Hebrew Literature by Wilson, Epiphanius