Hebrew
[hee-broo]
- a member of the Semitic peoples inhabiting ancient Palestine and claiming descent from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; an Israelite.
- a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic family, the language of the ancient Hebrews, which, although not in a vernacular use from 100 b.c. to the 20th century, was retained as the scholarly and liturgical language of Jews and is now the national language of Israel. Abbreviation: Heb
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Origin of Hebrew
before 1000; Middle English Hebreu, variant (with H- < Latin) of Ebreu < Old French < Medieval Latin Ebrēus for Latin Hebraeus < Late Greek Hebraîos < Aramaic ʿIbhraij; replacing Old English Ebrēas (plural) < Medieval Latin Ebrēī
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for hebrew
Contemporary Examples
So why did the God of the Hebrew people choose such a scandalous setting for becoming human?
They were conducted entirely in Hebrew, a language the U.S. native does not speak, although he was provided a translator.
The name Easter may, or may not, be derived from the Sumerian goddess Inanna, or Ishtar—the source of the Hebrew name Esther.
Then just 8-years-old he saw writing on a deli Billboard that was in Hebrew.
But he insist his character, Petel (Hebrew for raspberry) has a universal appeal.
Historical Examples
Our ancient Hebrew predecessors understood God in their own way.
The Conquest of FearBasil King
And not only are these gone, but we are lacking in a knowledge of Hebrew phraseology.
A Theological-Political Treatise [Part II]Benedict of Spinoza
The growth of the Hebrew idea was somewhat parallel to this.
Understanding the ScripturesFrancis McConnell
Her heart was touched with compassion, and she said, "This is one of the Hebrew children."
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. IFrancis Augustus Cox
The Hebrew took up the scroll with imperturbable composure, "My child!"
Leila, CompleteEdward Bulwer-Lytton
Hebrew
- the ancient language of the Hebrews, revived as the official language of Israel. It belongs to the Canaanitic branch of the Semitic subfamily of the Afro-Asiatic family of languages
- a member of an ancient Semitic people claiming descent from Abraham; an Israelite
- archaic, or offensive a Jew
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- of or relating to the Hebrews or their language
- archaic, or offensive Jewish
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Word Origin
C13: from Old French Ebreu, from Latin Hebraeus, from Greek Hebraios, from Aramaic `ibhray, from Hebrew `ibhrī one from beyond (the river)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for hebrew
Hebrew
adj.
late Old English, from Old French Ebreu, from Latin Hebraeus, from Greek Hebraios, from Aramaic 'ebhrai, corresponding to Hebrew 'ibhri "an Israelite," literally "one from the other side," in reference to the River Euphrates, or perhaps simply signifying "immigrant;" from 'ebher "region on the other or opposite side." The noun is c.1200, "the Hebrew language;" late 14c. of persons, originally "a biblical Jew, Israelite."
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Hebrew
The language of the Hebrews, in which the Old Testament was written. It is the language of the modern state of Israel.
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The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.