Esther

[ es-ter ]

noun

1. the wife of Ahasuerus.
2. a book of the Bible bearing her name. : Esth.
3. a number of prayers, visions, interpretations of dreams, etc., that are included in the Douay Bible as chapters 10–16.
4. a female given name.

Esther

/ ˈɛstə /

noun

1. a beautiful Jewish woman who became queen of Persia and saved her people from massacre
2. the book in which this episode is recounted

Esther

1. A book of the Old Testament that tells the story of a beautiful Jewish woman named Esther who is chosen by the king of Persia (now Iran ; see Persian Empire ) to be his queen. Esther, with the aid of her cousin Mordecai, stops a plot to massacre the Jews (see also Jews ) in Persia, and Mordecai becomes the king's chief minister.

Notes

This event is celebrated by Jews as the feast of Purim .

Word History and Origins

Origin of Esther¹

First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin Hester, from Greek Esthēr, from Hebrew Estēr; further origin uncertain; possibly from Persian sitareh, setāre “star, fate”; possibly from Akkadian Ishtar; Aphrodite ( def ), Ishtar ( def ), star ( def )

Example Sentences

In the end, Corey is just happy that Gonzalez’s family finally knows who killed Esther as she walked from her parents’ home in Beaumont to her sister’s in Banning.

From Los Angeles Times

Meyerson-Knox also pointed to the Heritage Foundation's Project Esther, which outlines a detailed strategy to tamp down anti-Zionist and pro-Palestinian protest efforts it describes as antisemitic and bolster Americans' support for Israel.

From Salon

Senior members, including Esther Voet, editor of the Dutch Jewish Weekly, organised emergency shelters and coordinated rescue efforts for those fearing for their lives.

From BBC

Campaigners supporting the bill, including broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen, argue terminally ill people should get a choice over how they die to avoid unnecessary suffering.

From BBC

Esther Voet, editor-in-chief of a Dutch Jewish weekly newspaper, lives in the city centre and says she offered her home to shelter several Israeli fans, after she saw footage of the violence.

From BBC