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rabbi
(rab′ī)
noun pl. rabbis
- Judaism a scholar and teacher of the Jewish law; now, specif., an ordained Jew, usually the spiritual head of a congregation, qualified to decide questions of law and ritual and to perform marriages, supervise religious education, etc.
- Slang a sponsor; influential friend
Origin: ME < OE < LL(Ec) < Gr(Ec) rhabbi < Heb rabi, my master, my lord < rav, teacher, master + -i, my
See rabbi in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun pl. rab·bis
- Abbr. R. A person trained in Jewish law, ritual, and tradition and ordained for leadership of a Jewish congregation, especially one serving as chief religious official of a synagogue.
- A scholar qualified to interpret Jewish law.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English rabi
Origin: , from Old French
Origin: , from Late Latin rabbī, master
Origin: , from Greek rhabbi, O my master
Origin: , from Hebrew
Origin: and Aramaic rabbî, my master
Origin: : rab, master (from rab, to become great; see rbb in Semitic roots)
Origin: + -î, my
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