sabbatical year

American  

noun

1. Also called sabbatical leave.  (in a school, college, university, etc.) a year, usually every seventh, of release from normal teaching duties granted to a professor, as for study or travel.

2. Chiefly Biblical. a yearlong period to be observed by Jews once every seven years, during which the fields were to be left untilled and all agricultural labors were to be suspended. Leviticus 25.

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sabbatical year British  

noun

1. (often capitals) Bible a year during which the land was to be left uncultivated, debts annulled, etc, supposed to be observed every seventh year by the ancient Israelites according to Leviticus 25

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Etymology

Origin of sabbatical year

First recorded in 1625–35

Example Sentences

The Cornell professor was taking his University Sabbatical year, and with Mrs. Corson had arrived in Venice just before the poet came down from Asolo.

From The Brownings Their Life and Art by Whiting, Lilian

The Sabbatical year of white figs57 is the second after the Sabbatical year, because they produce in three years.

From Hebrew Literature by Wilson, Epiphanius

Bills written before the Sabbatical year are disallowed, but afterward they are valid.

From Hebrew Literature by Wilson, Epiphanius

They must not bring for an offering the two pigeons of one with an issue, or the two pigeons after childbirth bought with money of the Sabbatical year.

From Hebrew Literature by Wilson, Epiphanius

Otherwise it is forbidden to let them stand over on the Sabbatical year.

From Hebrew Literature by Wilson, Epiphanius