English Explanatory Dictionary

Miriam

English dictionary entry

Meanings

name
  1. The sister of Moses and Aaron and the daughter of Amram and Jochebed.
  2. Synonym of Mary, mother of Jesus, chiefly in contexts emphasizing her historical or Jewish identity.
  3. A female given name from Hebrew.
name
  1. Alternative spelling of Meriam.

Pronunciation

/ˈmɪɹi.əm/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-Miriam.wav

Word forms

Miriam Miryam

Etymology

From Hebrew מִרְיָם (Miryam), possibly from Aramaic מרים (Maryām, “bitter”), from a root מר (m-r) meaning "to be bitter". The meaning of this name which is the Old Testament equivalent of Mary has been debated for centuries. Some other explanations are mutiny / rebellion / disobedience from a root מרי (m-r-y).

Synonyms

Mary mother of Jesus chiefly in contexts emphasizing her historical or Jewish identity

Derived words

Mim Mims
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