Shibboleth Definition

shĭbə-lĭth, -lĕth

shibboleths

noun

shibboleths

A word or pronunciation that distinguishes people of one group or class from those of another.

American Heritage

The test word used by the men of Gilead to distinguish the escaping Ephraimites, who pronounced the initial () as (s): Judg. 12:4-6

Webster's New World

Any test word or password.

Webster's New World

Any phrase, custom, etc. distinctive of a particular party, class, etc.

Webster's New World

A commonplace saying or idea.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

Other Word Forms of Shibboleth

Singular:

shibboleth

Plural:

shibboleths

From Hebrew שבולת (Å¡ibbōlet, “ear of wheat"), with reference to Judges 12:5-6: "˜Gilead then cut Ephraim off from the fords of the Jordan, and whenever Ephraimite fugitives said, “Let me cross," the men of Gilead would ask, “Are you an Ephraimite?" If he said, “No," they then said, “Very well, say Shibboleth." If anyone said “Sibboleth", but could not pronounce it, they would then seize him and kill him by the fords of the Jordan.' (New Jerusalem Bible)

From Wiktionary
Ultimately from Hebrew šibbōlet torrent of water, from the use of this word to distinguish one tribe from another that pronounced it sibbōlet (Judges 12:4–6)

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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