ushabti

noun

ushab·​ti
(y)üˈshabtē
variants or less commonly shawabti
shəˈwa-
plural ushabti
-tē
or ushabtis
-tēz
or ushabtiu
-tēˌü
: a small figure deposited in an ancient Egyptian tomb with the mummy generally bearing inscriptions from the Book of the Dead and representing servants expected to do certain agricultural labors required of the deceased in the land of the dead

Word History

Etymology

Egyptian wšbty, literally, answerer

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Cite this Entry

“Ushabti.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ushabti. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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