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benjamin

1 American  
[ben-juh-muhn] / ˈbɛn dʒə mən /

noun

  1. benzoin.


Benjamin 2 American  
[ben-juh-muhn] / ˈbɛn dʒə mən /

noun

    1. (in the Bible) the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, and the brother of Joseph.

    2. one of the 12 tribes of ancient Israel, traditionally descended from him.

  1. Asher, 1773–1845, U.S. architect and writer.

  2. Judah Philip, 1811–84, Confederate statesman.

  3. a first name: from a Hebrew word meaning “son of the right.”


Benjamin 1 British  
/ ˈbɛndʒəmɪn /

noun

  1. Old Testament

    1. the youngest and best-loved son of Jacob and Rachel (Genesis 35:16–18; 42:4)

    2. the tribe descended from this patriarch

    3. the territory of this tribe, northwest of the Dead Sea

  2. archaic a youngest and favourite son

"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

Benjamin 2 British  
/ ˈbɛndʒəmɪn /

noun

  1. Arthur . 1893–1960, Australian composer. In addition to Jamaican Rumba (1938), he wrote five operas and a harmonica concerto (1953)

  2. Walter (ˈvaltər). 1892–1940, German critic and cultural theorist

"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

benjamin 3 British  
/ ˈbɛndʒəmɪn /

noun

  1. another name for benzoin

  2. another name for spicebush

"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 benjamin

1570–80; alteration (by association with the proper name) of benjoin, early form of benzoin 1

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.

My son benjamin and I appeared twice on The Martha Stewart Show to talk about the family company, Divvies.

From Inc • Dec. 8, 2011

As the bouncy benjamin of N.C.'s children, Andy enjoyed a special freedom from responsibility.

From Time Magazine Archive

Taste, smell; I assure you, sir, pure benjamin, the only spirited scent that ever awaked a Neapolitan nostril.

From Cynthia's Revels by Jonson, Ben

But I have not come here to fill myself With cabbages, or benjamin, or other Impious and bitter danties, or with onions.

From The Deipnosophists, or Banquet of the Learned of Athen?us by Athen?us

Benjamin, ben′j�-min, n. gum benjamin, an essence made from benzoin.—n.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various

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