Sabbath

Definition

Saturday, observed in Judaism as a day of rest and worship.

Etymology

From Middle English sabat, sabbat, sabath, from Old English sabat and Old French sabbat, both from Latin sabbatum, from Ancient Greek σάββατον (sábbaton, “Sabbath”), from Hebrew שַׁבָּת (shabát, “Sabbath”), with the spelling ending in -th, probably influenced by the traditional transliteration of the Hebrew as shabbāth, being attested since the 14th century and widespread since the 16th. Doublet of Shabbat. Possibly from the Sumerian sa-bat ("mid-rest")

Example Sentences

• "Jerusalem is a city of three Sabbaths–Friday (Muslim), Saturday (Jewish), and Sunday (Christian)."
• "Witches always anointed themselves with ointments before departing up the chimney to their Sabbaths. One such ointment was composed of Aconite, Belladonna, Water Parsley, Cinquefoil and Babies' Fat."
• "Around this conception was built up the notion of ritual devil-worship, involving the sabbath or nocturnal meeting at which the witches gathered to worship their master and to copulate with him."

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