English Explanatory Dictionary

rabbi

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A Jewish scholar or teacher of halacha (Jewish law), capable of making halachic decisions.
  2. A Jew who is the leader or is qualified to be the leader of a Jewish congregation.
  3. A senior officer who acts as a mentor.
noun
  1. The title of a rabbi (a Jewish scholar or teacher); used before or instead of the rabbi's name.

Pronunciation

/ˈɹæ.baɪ/ en-us-rabbi.ogg LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-Rabbi.wav

Word forms

rabbi rabbis rabbies rabbanim rabbanin rabbonim rabbonin rabbin rabboni

Etymology

From Middle English raby, from Ecclesiastical Latin rabbi, and its source Koine Greek ῥαββί (rhabbí), from (post-Tanakh) Hebrew רַבִּי (rabbi, “my master”), from רַב (rav, “master”) + ־ִי (-í, “my”). Compare late Old English rabbi. Doublet of rebbe and related to rav.

Related words

rav rabbeinu rebbe reb rebbetzin

Derived words

rabbi card rabbidom rabbinate rabbinic rabbinical Rabbinism rabbinize rabbiship
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