melaveh malkah

noun

me·​la·​veh mal·​kah
məˌlävəˈmälkə
plural melaveh malkahs
: a traditional weekly ceremony observed chiefly by Hasidim on Saturday evening to bid farewell to the Queen Sabbath and marked by feasting, singing, dancing

Word History

Etymology

Hebrew mĕlweh malkāh, literally, escorting the queen

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Cite this Entry

“Melaveh malkah.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/melaveh%20malkah. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.

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