hosanna
[hoh-zan-uh]
- (an exclamation, originally an appeal to God for deliverance, used in praise of God or Christ.)
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- a cry of “hosanna.”
- a shout of praise or adoration; an acclamation.
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- to praise, applaud, etc.: The critics hosannaed his new play.
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Origin of hosanna
< Late Latin (h)ōsanna < Greek ōsanná < Heb hōsh(i) ʿāh nnā save, we pray; replacing Middle English, Old English osanna < Late Latin, as above
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for hosanna
Contemporary Examples
Lamonica was the pastor of Hosanna Church right before it closed two years before in 2003.
Ory recalled the Hosanna Church scandal as “very stressful.”
Historical Examples
Van Iperen thinks it taken from the Jewish shout, "Hosanna!"
At certain intervals, the people responded with the cry of "Hosanna!"
Bible Animals;J. G. Wood
The chorus sings "Hosanna" in derision of his belated plea for forgiveness.
The Complete Opera BookGustav Kobb
As the curse did not depress, neither did the hosanna elate.
I danced with Hosanna; Wolfgang and Sarah were our vis-à-vis.
Christmas Eve and Christmas DayEdward E. Hale
hosanna
- an exclamation of praise, esp one to God
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- the act of crying "hosanna"
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Word Origin
Old English osanna, via Late Latin from Greek, from Hebrew hōshi `āh nnā save now, we pray
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 hosanna
Old English osanna, via Latin and Greek from Hebrew hosha'na, probably a shortening of hoshi'ah-nna "save, we pray" (cf. Psalms cxviii:25), from imperative of y-sh- (cf. yeshua "salvation, deliverance, welfare") + emphatic particle -na. Originally an appeal for deliverance; used in Christian Church as an ascription of praise, because when Jesus entered Jerusalem this was shouted by Galilean pilgrims in recognition of his messiahhood (Matt. xxi:9, 15, etc.).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper