joseph

noun

jo·​seph ˈjō-zəf 

also

-səf 

1

capitalized

a

: a son of Jacob who according to the account in Genesis rose to high political office in Egypt after being sold into slavery by his brothers

b

: the husband of Mary the mother of Jesus according to the Gospel accounts

2

: a long cloak worn especially by women in the 18th century

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek Iōsēph, from Hebrew Yōsēph

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Biographical Definition

Joseph

biographical name

Jo·​seph

ˈjō-zəf,

also

-səf 

circa 1840–1904 In-mut-too-yah-lat-lat Nez Percé Indian chief