Main Entry: jo·seph

Pronunciation: \ˈjō-zəf also -səf\

Function: noun

Etymology: Latin, from Greek Iōsēph, from Hebrew Yōsēph

Date: 14th century

1 capitalized a : a son of Jacob who according to the account in Genesis rose to high political office in Egypt after being sold into slavery by his brothers b : the husband of Mary the mother of Jesus according to the Gospel accounts
2 : a long cloak worn especially by women in the 18th century