manna Hear it!

manna definition

manna (man′ə)

noun

    1. Bible food miraculously provided for the Israelites in the wilderness: Ex. 16:14-36
    2. divine aid, spiritual sustenance, etc.
  2. anything badly needed that comes unexpectedly
    1. a sweet, gummy juice obtained from a European ash tree (Fraxinus ornus), formerly used as a laxative
    2. any of various similar substances exuded by certain plants and insects

Etymology: OE < LL(Ec) < Gr(Ec) < Aram mannā < Heb mān, orig., prob. man hu, lit., what is it?

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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