shammash

noun

sham·​mash
variants or shamash or shammas or shamas or shammes or shames or shammos or shamus
plural shammashim or shamashim or shammasim or shamasim or shammosim or shamosim
shäˈmȯsə̇m,
-sēm
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 & Middle Hebrew; Yiddish shames, from Middle Hebrew shāmmāsh, from Aramaic shĕmmāsh to serve

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Cite this Entry

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

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