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shibboleth definition

shib·bo·leth (s̸hib′ə let̸h′, -lət̸h)

noun

  1. the test word used by the men of Gilead to distinguish the escaping Ephraimites, who pronounced the initial (s̸h) as (s): Judg. 12:4-6
  2. any test word or password
  3. any phrase, custom, etc. distinctive of a particular party, class, etc.

Etymology: ME sebolech, after LL(Ec) sciboleth < Heb shibolet, a stream: pres. meaning from the use of the word as a test word

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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