shiva

¹

Also shi·bah
Or shi·vah

[shiv-uh]

noun

1. the traditional seven-day period of mourning observed by Jews immediately following the funeral of a parent, sibling, child, or spouse.

Shiva

²

Also Si·va

[shee-vuh]

noun

Hinduism.

1. “the Destroyer,” the third member of the Trimurti, along with Brahma the Creator and Vishnu the Preserver.

Shiva

/ ˈʃiːvə, ˈʃɪvə /

noun

1. a variant spelling of Siva

Other Word Forms

• Shivaist noun
• Shivaism noun
• Shivaistic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Shiva¹

First recorded in 1890–95; from Ashkenazi pronunciation of Hebrew shibhʿāh “seven”

Origin of Shiva²

From Sanskrit: literally, “the auspicious”

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. sit shiva, to observe this period.

Example Sentences

In Jewish religion, to begin the ritual mourning period, called shiva, a body needs to be buried first.

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The mood was like an eternal shiva — the celebration of the South L.A. rapper’s cinematic life is muted, the search for meaning and healing unending.

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After the death of his mother was confirmed, Carmel’s family began preparing for shiva, the Jewish ritual of mourning.

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When you returned from burying Lisa in Wisconsin, you had a week-long shiva, the Jewish ritual of friends, family and neighbors visiting after the death of a loved one.

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All are brought together, at the deceased patriarch’s request, to sit shiva for a backbreaking seven days.

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