shiva

¹

or shi·vah

[ shiv-uh ]

noun

1. the traditional seven-day period of mourning observed by Jews immediately following the funeral of a parent, sibling, child, or spouse.

Shiva

²

[ shee-vuh ]

noun

, Hinduism.

1. “the Destroyer,” the third member of the Trimurti, along with Brahma the Creator and Vishnu the Preserver.

Shiva

/ ˈʃiːvə; ˈʃɪvə /

noun

1. a variant spelling of Siva

Derived Forms

• ˈShivaist, nounadjective
• ˈShivaism, noun

Other Words From

• Shiva·ism noun
• Shiva·ist noun
• Shiva·istic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of shiva¹

First recorded in 1890–95; from Ashkenazi pronunciation of Hebrew shibhʿāh “seven”

Origin of shiva²

From Sanskrit: literally, “the auspicious”

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. sit shiva, to observe this period.

Example Sentences

After the death of his mother was confirmed, Carmel’s family began preparing for shiva, the Jewish ritual of mourning.

From Los Angeles Times

When you returned from burying Lisa in Wisconsin, you had a week-long shiva, the Jewish ritual of friends, family and neighbors visiting after the death of a loved one.

From Los Angeles Times

All are brought together, at the deceased patriarch’s request, to sit shiva for a backbreaking seven days.

From New York Times

Tuesday night’s results showed that the time is coming to sit shiva for the Republican Party of the Bushes, Cheneys and Romneys.

From New York Times

By the time Smith arrived in Israel to bury her uncle and sit shiva, her family was informed that her aunt’s body had also been identified.

From Seattle Times