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benjamin

[ ben-juh-muhn ]
/ ˈbɛn dʒə mən /

noun

benzoin1 (def. 2).

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Origin of benjamin

1570–80; alteration (by association with the proper name) of benjoin, early form of benzoin1

Words nearby benjamin

Benioff zone, benison, Beni-Suef, Benita, benitoite, benjamin, benjamin-bush, Benjamin-Constant, Benjaminite, Benjamins, Ben Lomond

Definition for benjamin (2 of 2)

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

noun

the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, and the brother of Joseph. Genesis 35:18.
one of the 12 tribes of ancient Israel traditionally descended from him.
Asher, 1773–1845, U.S. architect and writer.
Judah Philip, 1811–84, Confederate statesman.
a male given name: from a Hebrew word meaning “son of the right.”
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for benjamin

British Dictionary definitions for benjamin (1 of 3)

benjamin
/ (ˈbɛndʒəmɪn) /

noun

another name for benzoin (def. 1)
benjamin bush another name for spicebush

Word Origin for benjamin

C16: variant of benzoin; influenced in form by the name Benjamin

British Dictionary definitions for benjamin (2 of 3)

Benjamin1
/ (ˈbɛndʒəmɪn) /

noun

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
archaic a youngest and favourite son

British Dictionary definitions for benjamin (3 of 3)

Benjamin2
/ (ˈbɛndʒəmɪn) /

noun

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