shadchan

American  

[shaht-khuhn, shaht-khahn] / ˈʃɑt xən, ʃɑtˈxɑn /

noun

Yiddish and Hebrew.

plural

shadchanim,

plural

shadchans

1. shadkhan.

---

shadchan British  

/ ˈʃatxən, ʃɑdˈxɑn /

noun

1. a Jewish marriage broker

---

Etymology

Origin of shadchan

from Hebrew shadhkhān, from shiddēkh to arrange a marriage

Example Sentences

Ruth shyly told the shadchan: "I'd be greatly honored if he would accept me as his wife."

From Time Magazine Archive

Hannah Hayye, the only daughter of Raphael the Russian, going on sixteen, buxom, bright, capable, and well educated, could not escape the eye of the shadchan.

From The Promised Land by Antin, Mary

She pushed and elbowed her way to the middle of the table, where the shadchan sat ready with paper and ink to take down the articles of the contract.

From The Promised Land by Antin, Mary

One voice in particular broke repeatedly into the consultations of the parents and the shadchan, and that was the voice of Henne Rösel, one of my father's numerous poor cousins.

From The Promised Land by Antin, Mary

Her parents are pleased with the son-in-law proposed by the shadchan, and now, at the last, the girl is brought in, to be examined and appraised by the prospective parents-in-law.

From The Promised Land by Antin, Mary