Responsa

[ ri-spon-suh ]

/ rɪˈspɒn sə /

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noun

the branch of rabbinical literature comprised of authoritative replies in letter form made by noted rabbis or Jewish scholars to questions sent to them concerning Jewish law.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of Responsa

1895–1900; <New Latin; plural of responsum

Words nearby Responsa

respond, respondence, respondent, respondent conditioning, responder, Responsa, response, responser, response time, response variable, responsibilities

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Responsa in a sentence

Second, brief compilations of precepts, like the works of Hefez ben Yazliah and the responsa of some geonim.
A History of Mediaeval Jewish Philosophy|Isaac Husik
Hic ante Apollinem ex oraculo in monte Parnasso responsa dare solitus est.
A New System; or, an Analysis of Antient Mythology. Volume II. (of VI.)|Jacob Bryant
Inesse quinetiam sanctum aliquid et providum putant; nec aut consilia carum aspernantur aut responsa negligunt.
The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. VII. (of 12)|Edmund Burke
Inesse quinetiam sanctum aliquid et providum putant, nec aut consilia earum aspernantur, nec responsa negligunt.
Apologia Diffidentis|W. Compton Leith

The responsa prudentum, the opinions of learned men, published as such, did undoubtedly originate an immense portion of Roman law.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 15, Slice 5|Various

British Dictionary definitions for Responsa

responsa

/ (rɪˈspɒnsə) /

noun Judaism

the plural of responsum

that part of rabbinic literature concerned with written rulings in answer to questions

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