Added 9 October 2026
joseph
/ˈd͡ʒəʊsəf/ noun
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about joseph at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- Leader of the Nez Perce in their retreat from United States troops (1840-1904).
- (Old Testament) the 11th son of Jacob and one of the 12 patriarchs of Israel; Jacob gave Joseph a coat of many colors, which made his brothers jealous and they sold him into slavery in Egypt.
- (New Testament) husband of Mary and (in Christian belief) the foster father of Jesus.
Origin
Probably in allusion to Joseph's coat of many colours in Genesis 37:3.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)