Refine this word faster

Stronger alternatives Opposite tone Use in context Cross-language nuance

Shamash

//ʃəˈmɑʃ// name, noun

Definitions

Proper Noun
  1. 1
    The sun god and god of justice in Babylonia and Assyria, corresponding to Sumerian Utu.
Noun
  1. 1
    The candle used to light the other eight candles of a Hanukkah menorah or hanukkiah. Judaism

    "The candelabras lit on Hanukkah are technically called hanukkiahs. They have eight candles plus one more, a shamash, that is used for lighting the others."

  2. 2
    A sexton in a synagogue.

    "Until 1890, when the local Chevra Kadisha (a traditional Jewish funerary society) was set up, funeral services were performed by the shamashim, the beadles of the synagogues."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Akkadian Šamaš, ultimately from Proto-Semitic *śamš-. Compare shin.

Etymology 2

From Hebrew שַׁמָּשׁ (shamásh, “waiter, sexton”). Doublet of shammes, via Yiddish.

See also for "shamash"

Synonyms Antonyms Rhymes Sentences Translate Word Type Pronunciation Word Forms

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciation

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: shamash