Definitions for shibboleth
ˈʃɪb ə lɪθ, -ˌlɛθshib·bo·leth

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. motto, slogan, catchword, shibbolethnoun

   a favorite saying of a sect or political group

2. shibbolethnoun

   a manner of speaking that is distinctive of a particular group of people

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. shibbolethnoun

   A word, especially seen as a test, to distinguish someone as belonging to a particular nation, class, profession etc.

2. shibbolethnoun

   A common or longstanding belief, custom, or catchphrase associated with a particular group, especially one with little current meaning or truth.

   It's about time we abandoned the bourgeois shibboleth that earning money makes you a better person.

3. Etymology: From שבולת, 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)

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Shibboleth

   A shibboleth ( (listen)) is any custom or tradition, usually a choice of phrasing or even a single word, that distinguishes one group of people from another. Shibboleths have been used throughout history in many societies as passwords, simple ways of self-identification, signaling loyalty and affinity, maintaining traditional segregation, or protecting from real or perceived threats.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. shibboleth

   A shibboleth is a custom, principle, or belief distinguishing a particular class or group of people, often used as a test of membership. It may also refer to a word or phrase that is difficult for people from a particular group to pronounce properly, thus revealing them as outsiders. The term originates from a Biblical story in which this method was used to identify enemies.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Shibbolethnoun

   a word which was made the criterion by which to distinguish the Ephraimites from the Gileadites. The Ephraimites, not being able to pronounce sh, called the word sibboleth. See Judges xii

2. Shibbolethnoun

   also in an extended sense

3. Shibbolethnoun

   hence, the criterion, test, or watchword of a party; a party cry or pet phrase

4. Etymology: [Heb. shibbleth an ear of corn, or a stream, a flood.]

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Shibboleth

   A shibboleth is a word, sound, or custom that a person unfamiliar with its significance may not pronounce or perform correctly relative to those who are familiar with it. It is used to identify foreigners or those who do not belong to a particular class or group of people. It also refers to features of language, and particularly to a word or phrase whose pronunciation identifies a speaker as belonging to a particular group.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Shibboleth

   shib′bō-leth, n. (B.) a test-word used by the Gileadites under Jephthah to detect the fleeing Ephraimites, who could not pronounce the sh (Judges, xii. 4-6): the criterion or watchword of a party. [Heb., an ear of corn, or a stream.]

The Nuttall EncyclopediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Shibboleth

   a word by which the Gileadites distinguished an Ephraimite from his inability to sound the sh in the word, and so discovered whether he was friend or foe; hence it has come to denote a party cry or watchword.

Matched Categories

1. • Manner Of Speaking
   • Saying

How to pronounce shibboleth?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say shibboleth in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of shibboleth in Chaldean Numerology is: 1

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of shibboleth in Pythagorean Numerology is: 1

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=shibboleth
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Shibboleth
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shibboleth
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shibboleth
6. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=shibboleth
7. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=shibboleth
8. ^ The Nuttall Encyclopedia
   https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/12342/pg12342-images.html#Shibboleth