afikomen

American  

[ah-fee-koh-muhn] / ˌɑ fiˈkoʊ mən /

Or afikoman

noun

Judaism.

1. a piece of matzo broken off from the center one of the three matzoth set before the leader of a Seder: it is hidden by the leader and later searched for by the children, with the finder, usually the youngest, receiving a reward.

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Etymology

Origin of afikomen

1890–95; < Yiddish afikoymen < Hebrew aphīgōmān < Greek epikṓmion revel, noun use of neuter of epikṓmios of a revel, equivalent to epi- epi- + kôm ( os ) revel + -ios adj. suffix

Example Sentences

Others have also devised virtual afikomen hunts this year, including online scavenger hunts, hidden picture games, and even a Zork-like text adventure.

From Slate • Apr. 8, 2020

The best idea came from my rabbi: have the kids spend an hour hiding the afikomen.

From Slate • Apr. 8, 2020

Shepherding a dozen infants, preschoolers, and adolescents through the service meant constant enticements: songs here, treats there, and finally the great afikomen hunt.

From Slate • Apr. 8, 2020

Because the cards are in your hand, they can’t be in the game host’s envelope—which means none of your cards were involved in hiding the afikomen!

From Slate • Apr. 8, 2020

From personal experience as both a kid and an adult, I’d argue that the ritual of hiding the afikomen is, in part, an effort to keep young minds and bodies engaged through a lengthy Seder.

From Slate • Apr. 8, 2020