Joseph

//ˈd͡ʒəʊzɪf// name, noun

Definitions

Proper Noun
  1. 1
    Eleventh and favorite son of Jacob, by his wife Rachel. countable, uncountable

    "Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours."

  2. 2
    The husband of Saint Mary and the father of Jesus. countable, uncountable

    "Meronym: Holy Family"

  3. 3
    The 12th sura (chapter) of the Qur'an. countable, uncountable
  4. 4
    Joseph of Arimathea; man who donated his own prepared tomb for the burial of Jesus. countable, uncountable
  5. 5
    A male given name from Hebrew. countable, uncountable

    "I'm going to call him Joseph / or Josephine if it's a girl. / Why? / Because it's a strong name, / Joe, Joseph. / You give a kid a name like Cameron / or Alfred, or something like that, / and they end up wearing glasses / and looking at computers for the rest of their life. / - - - So Joe it is. / He'll turn out strong. Strong and smart."

Show 5 more definitions
  1. 6
    A surname:; An English surname originating as a patronymic. countable, uncountable
  2. 7
    A surname:; A French surname originating as a patronymic. countable, uncountable
  3. 8
    A locale in the United States:; A city in Wallowa County, Oregon; named for Nez Perce chief Hinmatóowyalahtq̓it (called "Chief Joseph" in English). countable, uncountable
  4. 9
    A locale in the United States:; A town in Sevier County, Utah; named for Mormon apostle Joseph Angell Young. countable, uncountable
  5. 10
    A locale in the United States:; A ghost town in Idaho County, Idaho; named for Hinmatóowyalahtq̓it (Chief Joseph). countable, uncountable
Noun
  1. 1
    One whose chastity is above temptation (from the story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife in Genesis xxxix).

    "And my lady thought you a Joseph!"

  2. 2
    A woman's riding habit worn in the 18th century with a long cape and buttons running down the front. capitalized, sometimes

    "Some women, I grant, would not appear to advantage seated on a pillion, and attired in a drab joseph and a drab beaver-bonnet . . . travelling on pillions in snowy weather was unpleasant, though a joseph was a great protection . . . these ladies were so taken by surprise at finding such a lovely face and figure in an out-of-the-way country place, that they began to feel some curiosity about the dress she would put on when she took off her joseph"

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English Ioseph, ultimately from Biblical Hebrew יוֹסֵף (Yoséf, literally “(God) shall add”); a son of Jacob. Doublet of Yusuf.

Etymology 2

From Middle English Ioseph, ultimately from Biblical Hebrew יוֹסֵף (Yoséf, literally “(God) shall add”); a son of Jacob. Doublet of Yusuf.

Etymology 3

Probably in allusion to Joseph's coat of many colours in Genesis 37:3.

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