shivah
or shi·bah
[shiv-uh]
- the mourning period, following the funeral and lasting traditionally for seven days, observed by Jews for a deceased parent, sibling, child, or spouse.
- sit shivah, to observe this period.
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Origin of shivah
From the Hebrew word shibhʿāh literally, seven
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
shivah
- the period of formal mourning lasting seven days from the funeral during which the mourner stays indoors and sits on a low stool
- sit shivah to mourn
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Word Origin
from Hebrew, literally: seven (days)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for shivah
n.
seven days of mourning in Jewish religious custom, 1892, from Hebrew shibhah "seven," short for shibh'ath yeme ha'ebhel "the seven days of mourning."
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper