shamosim

Variant of shamas

noun pl. shamosim

  1. a synagogue official who provides various services, often one who manages day-to-day affairs
  2. the candle used to light the other candles in a Hanukkah menorah

Origin: Yiddish < Heb shamash, servant, sexton < root šmš, to serve, minister

Also shamos or shames
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2010 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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