paschal lamb

American  

noun

1. Jewish History. a lamb slaughtered and eaten on the eve of the first day of Passover. Exodus 12:3–11.

2. (initial capital letters) Christ.

3. (initial capital letters) any of several symbolic representations of Christ, as the Agnus Dei.

4. Also called Holy Lamb.  (initial capital letters) a representation of a lamb passant having around its head a nimbus and supporting on the dexter shoulder a crosslike staff bearing a flag argent charged with a cross gules.

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Paschal Lamb British  

noun

1. (sometimes not capitals) Old Testament the lamb killed and eaten on the first day of the Passover

2. Christ regarded as this sacrifice

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Etymology

Origin of paschal lamb

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English