joseph

1 of 2

noun (1)

jo·​seph ˈjō-zəf 

also

-səf 

1

Joseph

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

josef

2 of 2

noun (2)

jo·​sef

variants or joseph

ˈjōzə̇f 

or josup

-zəp

plural -s

: an elephant fish (Callorynchus capensis) of southern Africa

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Latin, from Greek Iōsēph, from Hebrew Yōsēph

Noun (2)

Afrikaans josef, probably after Josef (Joseph), Old Testament patriarch; from the brilliant colors of the fish, reminiscent of Joseph's coat of many colors (Genesis 37:3—Authorized Version)

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for joseph

• josef