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1. (n.) shibboleth
a peculiarity of pronunciation, usage, or behavior that distinguishes a particular group.
2. shibboleth
a slogan; catchword.
3. shibboleth
a common saying or belief with little current meaning or truth.
Etymology: (< Heb shibbōleth lit., freshet, a word used by the Gileadites as a test to detect the fleeing Ephraimites, who could not pronounce the sound sh (Judges 12:4–6))
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| Definition of 'shibboleth' |
Princeton's WordNet |
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1. (noun) motto, slogan, catchword, shibboleth
a favorite saying of a sect or political group
2. (noun) shibboleth
a manner of speaking that is distinctive of a particular group of people
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| Definition of 'shibboleth' |
Webster Dictionary |
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1. (noun) shibboleth
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. (noun) shibboleth
also in an extended sense
3. (noun) shibboleth
hence, the criterion, test, or watchword of a party; a party cry or pet phrase
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| Definitions of 'shibboleth' |
The Nuttall Encyclopedia |
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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.
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Definitions of shibboleth 
