Joseph

[ joh-zuhf, -suhf ]

noun

1. (in the Bible) Jacob's eleventh son, the first of Jacob and his second wife, Rachel: sold into slavery by his brothers.
2. (in the Bible) the husband of Mary who was the mother of Jesus.
3. Hinmaton-yalaktit, c1840–1904, leader of the Nez Perce: led 1,000-mile (1,600-km) retreat from U.S. forces in an attempt to reach Canada in 1877.
4. joseph, a long coat buttoning in the front, worn especially by women as part of their riding habit in colonial America.
5. a male given name: from a Hebrew word meaning “increaser.”

joseph

¹

/ ˈdʒəʊzɪf /

noun

1. a woman's floor-length riding coat with a small cape, worn esp in the 18th century

Joseph

²

/ ˈdʒəʊzɪf /

noun

1. Old Testament
   1. the eleventh son of Jacob and one of the 12 patriarchs of Israel (Genesis 30:2–24)
   2. either or both of two tribes descended from his sons Ephraim and Manasseh
2. Saint Joseph
   New Testament the husband of Mary the mother of Jesus (Matthew 1:16–25). Feast day: Mar 19

Word History and Origins

Origin of Joseph¹

perhaps from the story of Joseph and his long coat (Genesis 37:3)

Example Sentences

The Brazilian also benefited from the selflessness of teammate Joseph Paintsil.

From Los Angeles Times

He was so well-liked by FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover that he recommended Cohn to be the lead counsel for Wisconsin Sen. Joseph McCarthy's communist witch hunt.

From Salon

The complaints cited an email from Joseph Martinez, BaronHR’s head of sales and operations, expressing frustration at the company’s repeated flouting of the law.

From New York Times

Porter worked at Providence Saint Joseph from April 8 to May 8, during which time she received two paychecks, detectives said.

From Los Angeles Times

The big-hitting all-rounder took 16 from an Alzarri Joseph over to put the tourists on the brink and although he holed out with four needed, England got over the line with four balls to spare.

From BBC