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shibboleth

The definition of a shibboleth is a password or test phrase.

(noun)

An example of a shibboleth is a phrase used by a guest to get into a Masonic club.

See shibboleth in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

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
any test word or password
any phrase, custom, etc. distinctive of a particular party, class, etc.

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

See shibboleth in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A word or pronunciation that distinguishes people of one group or class from those of another.
a. A word or phrase identified with a particular group or cause; a catchword.
b. A commonplace saying or idea.
A custom or practice that betrays one as an outsider.

Origin:

Origin: Ultimately from Hebrew šibbōlet, torrent of water, from the use of this word to distinguish one tribe from another that pronounced it sibbōlet (Judges 12:4-6)

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