Sanhedrin

noun

San·​he·​drin san-ˈhe-drən How to pronounce Sanhedrin (audio)
sän-;
san-ˈhē-,
ˈsa-nə-
: the supreme council and tribunal of the Jews during postexilic times headed by a High Priest and having religious, civil, and criminal jurisdiction

Word History

Etymology

Late Hebrew sanhedhrīn (gĕdhōlāh) (great) Sanhedrin, from Greek synedrion council, from synedros sitting in council, from syn- + hedra seat — more at sit

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Sanhedrin was in 1588

Dictionary Entries Near Sanhedrin

Cite this Entry

“Sanhedrin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Sanhedrin. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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