daniel
- 01 A1 Beginner
a common first name for a man.
a common male given name of Hebrew origin, meaning 'God is my judge'.
Simple“My friend Daniel is coming over for dinner tonight.”
In context“Daniel was the most popular name for newborn boys in several European countries during the late twentieth century.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a book in the Bible or the prophet the book is about.
a book of the Old Testament and the Hebrew Tanakh, or the prophet whose life and visions it describes.
Simple“The story of Daniel in the lions' den is very famous.”
In context“The Book of Daniel contains both historical narrative and apocalyptic visions that have influenced Western literature for centuries.”
- 03 C2 Proficiency
a person who is very wise and fair when making a judgment.
an allusion to the biblical Daniel, referring to a person who shows great wisdom or insight in judgment.
Simple“The young lawyer proved to be a second Daniel in the courtroom.”
In context“The judge's ruling was so insightful that the local press described him as a Daniel come to judgment.”
UsageOften used in the phrase 'a Daniel come to judgment', famously quoted from Shakespeare.
From Middle English Daniel, Daniell, from Ancient Greek Δᾱνῑήλ (Dānīḗl), from Hebrew דָּנִיֵּאל (daniyél, literally “God is my judge”), name borne from the prophet whose story is told in the Book of Daniel.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.