Jehu

[ jee-hyooor, often, -hoo ]

noun

1. a king of Israel noted for his furious chariot attacks. 2 Kings 9.
2. (lowercase) a fast driver.
3. (lowercase) the driver of a cab or coach.

Jehu

/ ˈdʒiːhjuː /

noun

1. Old Testament the king of Israel (?842–?815 bc ); the slayer of Jezebel (II Kings 9:11–30)
2. a fast driver, esp one who is reckless (from the phrase to drive like Jehu . II Kings 9:20)

Word History and Origins

Origin of Jehu¹

First recorded in 1680–90 Jehu fordefs 2, 3; from Hebrew Yēhūʾ “Yah (God) is he,” i.e., “Yahweh is God”

Example Sentences

An awful trap to the amateur Jehu was that gap in those days; we realise it now far better than we did then.

From Project Gutenberg

Yes, cunning Jehu, so they might, with those interpolations and erasures that would confound and overcome a lawyer.

From Project Gutenberg

What wonder that little Jehu was crushed into nothingness, behind his own counter, under the eye of his own wife!

From Project Gutenberg

Sometimes a customer would die—a natural state of things, but a great event for Jehu.

From Project Gutenberg

It cost a smirk or smile; Jehu had hundreds at command, and the accident was amended.

From Project Gutenberg