ENGLISH
REFERENCE

passover

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈpæˌsoʊvɝ// UK //pˈæsəʊvɐ// passover

n. an important Jewish holiday that remembers how the ancient Israelites escaped from slavery in Egypt. Families usually celebrate with a special meal called a Seder.

n. a major Jewish festival commemorating the biblical Exodus of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. It is observed for seven or eight days and involves specific dietary restrictions, such as the consumption of unleavened bread.


SIMPLE

Our family gathers for a special dinner during Passover.

CONTEXTUAL

During Passover, many Jewish households remove all leavened bread from their homes and eat matzo instead.

COMPLEX

The celebration of Passover involves a ritual meal known as the Seder, where the story of the Exodus is retold through symbolic foods and traditional prayers.

Synonyms
Origin

Deverbal from pass over. Coined by William Tyndale (c. 1494–1536), the first translator of the Bible into modern English, as a calque of Hebrew פֶּסַח (pésakh).

Usage

Usually capitalised as a proper noun; often used with the verb 'celebrate' or 'observe'.

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