shiva

¹ American  

[shiv-uh] / ˈʃɪv ə /

Also shibah

Or shivah

noun

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

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idioms

1. sit shiva,  to observe this period.

Shiva ² American  

[shee-vuh] / ˈʃi və /

Also Siva

noun

Hinduism.

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

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Shiva British  

/ ˈʃiːvə, ˈʃɪvə /

noun

1. a variant spelling of Siva

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Other Word Forms

• Shivaism noun
• Shivaist noun
• Shivaistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of shiva¹

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

Origin of Shiva¹

From Sanskrit: literally, “the auspicious”

Example Sentences

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

From The Wall Street Journal

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.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

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.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From New York Times