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aaron

US //ˈɛɹən// aaron
  1. 1 biblical figure (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Religion

    the older brother of Moses in the Bible and the Quran.

    the elder brother of Moses and the first High Priest of the Israelites as described in the Old Testament and the Quran.

    Example

    In the Bible, Aaron spoke for his brother Moses when they met the King of Egypt.

    Example

    The biblical narrative depicts Aaron as a vital intermediary, serving as the primary spokesperson for Moses during their negotiations with Pharaoh.

  2. 2 given name (n.)
    A1 Beginner

    a common first name for a man.

    a masculine given name of Hebrew origin, widely used in English-speaking countries.

    Example

    My friend Aaron is coming over to help me fix my computer tonight.

    Example

    Aaron was among the most popular names for boys in the United States throughout the late twentieth century.

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  1. 3 leader of thieves (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic

    an old word for the leader of a group of criminals.

    a term in obsolete criminal cant referring to the leader of a gang of thieves.

    Example

    The old story told of an Aaron who led his band of thieves through the dark streets.

    Example

    The historical text describes the local Aaron as a cunning figure who coordinated the activities of several pickpocketing rings across the city.

    Usage

    This sense is found only in historical literature or dictionaries of old slang.

Origin

From Latin Aaron, from Ancient Greek Ἀαρών (Aarṓn), from Hebrew אַהֲרֹן (ʾAhărōn), of unknown meaning, possibly meaning “bearer of martyrs”, or perhaps also, or instead, related to the Ancient Egyptian ꜥḥꜣ rw (“warrior lion”), though it has been suggested to also mean “elevated”, “exalted” or “high mountain”. Doublet of Harun.

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