benjamin

¹ American  

[ben-juh-muhn] / ˈbɛn dʒə mən /

noun

1. benzoin.

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Benjamin ² American  

[ben-juh-muhn] / ˈbɛn dʒə mən /

noun

1. 1. (in the Bible) the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, and the brother of Joseph.

   2. one of the 12 tribes of ancient Israel, traditionally descended from him.

2. Asher, 1773–1845, U.S. architect and writer.

3. Judah Philip, 1811–84, Confederate statesman.

4. a first name: from a Hebrew word meaning “son of the right.”

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Benjamin ¹ British  

/ ˈbɛndʒəmɪn /

noun

1. Old Testament

   1. the youngest and best-loved son of Jacob and Rachel (Genesis 35:16–18; 42:4)

   2. the tribe descended from this patriarch

   3. the territory of this tribe, northwest of the Dead Sea

2. archaic a youngest and favourite son

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Benjamin ² British  

/ ˈbɛndʒəmɪn /

noun

1. Arthur . 1893–1960, Australian composer. In addition to Jamaican Rumba (1938), he wrote five operas and a harmonica concerto (1953)

2. Walter (ˈvaltər). 1892–1940, German critic and cultural theorist

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benjamin ³ British  

/ ˈbɛndʒəmɪn /

noun

1. another name for benzoin

2. another name for spicebush

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Etymology

Origin of benjamin

1570–80; alteration (by association with the proper name) of benjoin, early form of benzoin ¹

Example Sentences

My son benjamin and I appeared twice on The Martha Stewart Show to talk about the family company, Divvies.

From Inc • Dec. 8, 2011

As the bouncy benjamin of N.C.'s children, Andy enjoyed a special freedom from responsibility.

From Time Magazine Archive

Quick, my friend; light with all convenient haste the altar on which we will burn again the incense and benjamin of friendship.

From Le Morvan, [A District of France,] Its Wild Sports, Vineyards and Forests; with Legends, Antiquities, Rural and Local Sketches by Jesse, William

Grand Jean was a curious little man, lively and brisk as a bird or a squirrel, powdered, curled, and smelling of rose and benjamin as if he were still at Versailles or Choisi.

From Le Morvan, [A District of France,] Its Wild Sports, Vineyards and Forests; with Legends, Antiquities, Rural and Local Sketches by Jesse, William

But Ulenspiegel ran quickly and overtook her, and was about to speak to her when she sealed his lips with a hand all scented with benjamin.

From The Legend of the Glorious Adventures of Tyl Ulenspiegel in the land of Flanders and elsewhere by Coster, Charles de