Gaon

[ gah-ohn; Sephardic Hebrew gah-awn; Ashkenazic Hebrew gah-ohn, goin ]

noun,plural Ge·o·nim

[Sephardic Hebrew ge-aw-neem; Ashkenazic Hebrew gey-oh-nim], /Sephardic Hebrew gɛ ɔˈnim; Ashkenazic Hebrew geɪˈoʊ nɪm/, English Ga·ons.

a title of honor for the directors of the Jewish academies at Sura and Pumbedita in Babylonia, used from the end of the 6th century a.d. to about the beginning of the 11th century.
an eminent Jewish scholar noted for wisdom and knowledge of the Talmud: the Gaon of Vilna.

Origin of Gaon

1770–80; <Hebrew: literally, majesty

At the age of thirty-six Saadiah received a remarkable honor; he was summoned to Sura to fill the post of Gaon.
Chapters on Jewish Literature | Israel Abrahams
But Abraham had followers in Pumbeditha, who gave him their support, and refused allegiance to the rival Gaon.
History of the Jews, Vol. III (of 6) | Heinrich Graetz
It put itself on an equal footing with the sister academy of Sora, and its presidents likewise assumed the title of Gaon.
History of the Jews, Vol. III (of 6) | Heinrich Graetz
The son of a Gaon, named Nathan ben Yehuda, was invested with this titular dignity, but he died suddenly.
History of the Jews, Vol. III (of 6) | Heinrich Graetz
In the latter, two men, otherwise unknown, successively filled the post of Gaon.
History of the Jews, Vol. III (of 6) | Heinrich Graetz

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