genizah

noun

ge·​ni·​zah
gəˌnēˈzä,
-ˈnēzə
plural genizoth or genizot
-ˌnēˈzōt(h),
-ˈnēˌzōs
or genizahs
1
: a storeroom or repository in a synagogue used for discarded, damaged, or defective books and papers and sacred objects
valuable old manuscripts found in the genizah at Cairo
2
: the contents of a genizah

Word History

Etymology

Hebrew gĕnīzāh

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of genizah was in 1897

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Cite this Entry

“Genizah.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/genizah. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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