shammash

noun

sham·​mash
variants or shamash or shammas or shamas or shammes or shames or shammos or shamus
ˈshäməs How to pronounce shammash (audio)
plural shammashim or shamashim or shammasim or shamasim or shammosim or shamosim
shäˈmȯsə̇m,
-sēm
1
: the sexton of a synagogue
2
: the candle or taper used to light the other candles in a Hanukkah menorah

Word History

Etymology

Yiddish & Middle Hebrew; Yiddish shames, from Middle Hebrew shāmmāsh, from Aramaic shĕmmāsh to serve

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Dictionary Entries Near shammash

Shammar

shammash

shammes

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Cite this Entry

“Shammash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shammash. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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