Ezra
[ez-ruh]
- a Jewish scribe and prophet of the 5th century b.c., who with Nehemiah led the revival of Judaism in Palestine.
- a book of the Bible bearing his name. Abbreviation: Ezr.
- a male given name: from a Hebrew word meaning “help.”
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for ezra
Contemporary Examples
As uncovered by the climate blog desmogblog, the Ethical Oil meme dates to a 2010 book by Ezra Levant.
I was also drawn to the work of Ezra Pound and Robert Creeley.
“Ezra was the most generous writer I have ever known,” Hemingway later remarked.
Ezra Pound offered to make useful connections for Joyce, and find places where he could publish his writings.
Ezra Pound ranks among the finest poets of his generation, but his greatest trait may have been his eye for talent in others.
Historical Examples
So Ezra sed: "Wall, here's your money; now what do you want in trade?"
Uncles Josh's Punkin Centre StoriesCal Stewart
"Ezra needs bracing'," she heard her mother say, in many a sick-room gossip.
Tiverton TalesAlice Brown
"Well, I hadn't any expectation o' your bein' here," said Ezra.
Tiverton TalesAlice Brown
We hear it in the prayer of men like Ezra and Nehemiah and Daniel.
The Ministry of IntercessionAndrew Murray
The two days and nights following Ezra's departure had been strenuous and provoking.
The Woman-HatersJoseph C. Lincoln
Ezra
- a Jewish priest of the 5th century bc, who was sent from Babylon by the Persian king Artaxerxes I to reconstitute observance of the Jewish law and worship in Jerusalem after the captivity
- the book recounting his efforts to perform this task
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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
Word Origin and History for ezra
Ezra
masc. proper name, in Old Testament name of a celebrated 5c. B.C.E. scribe, from Late Latin, from Hebrew Ezra, contraction of Azaryah(u), literally "God has helped," from ezer "help" + Yah, a shortened form of Yahweh "God."
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper