shammes

noun

sham·​mes ˈshä-məs How to pronounce shammes (audio)
plural shammosim shä-ˈmȯ-səm How to pronounce shammes (audio)
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 shames, from Late Hebrew shāmmāsh

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shammes was in 1650

Dictionary Entries Near shammes

shammash

shammes

shammock

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

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

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