Selihoth

or Se·li·hot, Se·li·choth, Se·li·hos

[ Sephardic Hebrew suh-lee-khawt, slee-; Ashkenazic Hebrew suh-lee-khohs, slee-khuhs ]

noun

, Hebrew.

1. (used with a plural verb) liturgical prayers serving as expressions of repentance and pleas for God's forgiveness, recited by Jews during the period, usually beginning the preceding week, before Rosh Hashanah, during the period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and on fast days.
2. (used with a singular verb) a religious service at which such prayers are recited.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Selihoth¹

səlīḥōth literally, pardons