sabra

[sah-bruh, -brah]

noun

1. (sometimes initial capital letter),  a person born in Israel.

sabra

/ ˈsɑːbrə /

noun

1. a native-born Israeli Jew

Word History and Origins

Origin of sabra¹

1940–45; < colloquial Modern Hebrew sabre literally, prickly pear < Arabic ṣabrah

Word History and Origins

Origin of sabra¹

from Hebrew Sabēr prickly pear, common plant in the coastal areas of the country

Example Sentences

The word also refers to the sabra plant, a type of prickly pear endemic in the Middle East.

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But the hardy sabra bushes remained an indelible part of the landscape even after most traces of the villages were erased.

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Mr. Oz was a sabra, or native-born Israeli who grew up in Jerusalem when it was under British control.

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It fell in love with the young sabras who had beaten three Arab armies.

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In their ethnic garb, often with no knowledge of Hebrew, they struck the native-born Israeli sabras and the European Ashkenazim as provincial and uneducated.

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