RABBI

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does Rabbi mean? 

• RABBI (noun)
  The noun RABBI has 2 senses:

1. spiritual leader of a Jewish congregation; qualified to expound and apply Jewish law

2. a Hebrew title of respect for a Jewish scholar or teacher

  Familiarity information: RABBI used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• RABBI (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Spiritual leader of a Jewish congregation; qualified to expound and apply Jewish law

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("rabbi" is a kind of...):

spiritual leader (a leader in religious or sacred affairs)

Domain category:

Hebrew (the ancient Canaanitic language of the Hebrews that has been revived as the official language of Israel)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "rabbi"):

amora (one of a group of rabbis (active AD 250-500) who discussed the Mishnaic law in the law schools of Palestine and Mesopotamia where they explained and applied earlier teachings and whose discussions are recorded in the Talmud; they emphasized the study of Torah and the importance of personal action and the fulfillment of the commandments)

Instance hyponyms:

Hillel (Palestinian rabbi and interpreter of Judaic law)

Holonyms ("rabbi" is a member of...):

rabbinate (rabbis collectively)

Derivation:

rabbinic; rabbinical (of or relating to rabbis or their teachings)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A Hebrew title of respect for a Jewish scholar or teacher

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("Rabbi" is a kind of...):

form of address; title; title of respect (an identifying appellation signifying status or function: e.g. 'Mr.' or 'General')

Domain category:

Hebrew (the ancient Canaanitic language of the Hebrews that has been revived as the official language of Israel)

Derivation:

rabbinic; rabbinical (of or relating to rabbis or their teachings)

 Context examples 

In this case I found her biography sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea fishes.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)