rabbin
(ˈræbɪn)
Also 6 rabbyn, 6–7 -ine, 7 -yne; 6 rabyne, 6–7 -ine, 7–8 -in.
[a. F. rabbin or ad. med.L. rabbīnus: cf. It. rabbino, Pg., Sp. rabino.
The source of the n in these forms is obscure: it may have originated in pl. forms (rabbins, rabbini) on the supposition that the pl. of the Heb. word was *rabbin (cf. assassin, bedouin, etc.).]
a. = rabbi 2 a (but mainly used in pl. to designate the chief Jewish authorities on matters of law and doctrine, the most important of whom flourished between the second and thirteenth centuries of the Christian era).
| 1579 E. K. in Spenser's Sheph. Cal. Gen. Argt., According to the opinion of the best Rabbins..God made the worlde in that Moneth. 1612 Brerewood Lang. & Relig. 239 The Talmud and Targum..and the books of the latter rabbines. 1676 Glanvill Ess. Philos. & Relig. v. 22 'Tis said in the Talmud, If two Rabbins differ [etc.]. 1741 Watts Improv. Mind i. iv. §1 For a lawyer to learn Hebrew and read the Rabbins. 1832 W. Irving Alhambra II. 23 Instructed..in the language of birds, by a Jewish Rabbin. 1852 Thackeray Esmond i. xi, All the parsons, cardinals, ministers, muftis, and rabbins in the world. |
† b. = rabbi 2 b. Obs.
| 1531 Elyot Gov. iii. xxv, Some of those Rabines..which in comparison of the sayde noble doctours be..unethe lettered. 1531 Tindale Exp. 1 John 5 We remayne all blynde generally, as well our great Rabynes..as the lay people. 1606 in Crt. & Times Jas. I (1848) I. 65 Their masters and rabbins, the Jesuits. 1632 Lithgow Trav. i. 35 She is both the Spouse, and the mother of God, saith a Rabbin of theirs. |
c. Used as pl. (see etym. note).
| 1826 Sir W. Drummond Orig. iii. 105 Many of the Rabbin have understood by Baal Berith the Lord of the Covenant. 1860 Motley Netherl. (1868) I. v. 146 A match for the doctors, bishops or rabbin of Europe. |