Absalom

American  

[ab-suh-luhm] / ˈæb sə ləm /

noun

1. (in the Bible) the third and favorite son of David, who rebelled against his father and was slain by Joab.

2. a first name: from a Hebrew word meaning “father of peace.”

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Absalom British  

/ ˈæbsələm /

noun

1. Old Testament the third son of David, who rebelled against his father and was eventually killed by Joab (II Samuel 15–18)

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Example Sentences

In the 1950s and ’60s, a literary-minded cat named Dr. Absalom Minola — writing via his “butler,” future UC Berkeley archivist Jim Kantor — began sending letters to authors, editors and public figures.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 7, 2025

For Huw Absalom, the campaign to clear Griff's name goes on.

From BBC • Sep. 4, 2024

But there wasn’t much talk about abolitionism, or Forten’s old friends, like Absalom Jones, founder of the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, or William Lloyd Garrison, editor of The Liberator newspaper.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 13, 2022

Absalom Jordan, a Ward 8 community leader who describes himself as a Bowser supporter, said the mayor, for all of the advances she touts, needs to take additional steps to win over constituents.

From Washington Post • Mar. 7, 2022

Richard Allen fell ill, and Absalom Jones had to shoulder the entire burden of keeping the relief effort organized.

From "An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793" by Jim Murphy