sabra
[sah-bruh, -brah]
- (sometimes initial capital letter) a person born in Israel.
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Origin of sabra
1940–45; < colloquial Modern Hebrew sabre literally, prickly pear < Arabic ṣabrah
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for sabra
Contemporary Examples
He was the first diplomat on the scene to witness the butchery in Sabra and Shatila in September 1982.
They are consistent with the same old exclusivity and elitism of the suntanned Sabra soldier.
She talked about being a woman in a minority where "the machismo of the Sabra"—a native-born Israeli—is still supreme.
Rana Mansour, also Palestinian, fled to Sabra in early December with her six children, aged between 17 and 3.
Just as he seems to be able to recruit Sabra refugees from the Likud, this ad shows his ability to reach out to American olim.
Historical Examples
With incredible swiftness he drew his heavy Sabra and leaped upon Dick.
The Boy Land BoomerRalph Bonehill
There we must leave them, to tell what became of the Princess Sabra.
The Seven Champions of ChristendomW. H. G. Kingston
In vain the Princess Sabra entreated him not to undertake the adventure.
The Seven Champions of ChristendomW. H. G. Kingston
Mr. Sabra sang some Arabic songs and Fahima joined him in a duet.
A Trip to the OrientRobert Urie Jacob
Perhaps, if Jimmy had met Sabra before he left off being a gentleman—!
The King of SchnorrersIsrael Zangwill
sabra
- a native-born Israeli Jew
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Word Origin
from Hebrew Sabēr prickly pear, common plant in the coastal areas of the country
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for sabra
Sabra
n.
"Jew born in Palestine (or, after 1948, Israel)," 1945, from Modern Hebrew sabrah, literally "prickly pear."
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper