Samuel

[sam-yoo-uhl]

noun

1. a judge and prophet of Israel. 1 Samuel 1–3; 8–15.

2. either of two books of the Bible bearing his name. 1 Sam., 2 Sam.

3. a male given name.

Samuel

/ ˈsæmjʊəl /

noun

1. a Hebrew prophet, seer, and judge, who anointed the first two kings of the Israelites (I Samuel 1–3; 8–15)

2. either of the two books named after him, I and II Samuel

Word History and Origins

Origin of Samuel¹

From Late Latin Samuhel, from Greek Samouḗl, from Hebrew Shĕmūʾēl “Name of El (God),” or “His name is El (God)”

Example Sentences

In December 1886, Samuel Gompers founded the American Federation of Labor, organizing only skilled workers and focusing on “pure and simple” unionism that rejected state intervention.

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It was brilliant: like Samuel Beckett, but with much better jokes.

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One diarist, Samuel Bamford, gave up a warehouse job to become a weaver and wrote that the change gave him leisure time to enjoy “country amusements with the other young fellows.”

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The connections to O’Neill and Samuel Beckett, in particular, ring true.

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This new work builds on research led by the late Samuel Strober, MD, PhD, a professor of immunology and rheumatology, and his colleagues, including study co-author and professor of medicine Judith Shizuru, MD, PhD.

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