joss

¹

[ jos ]

noun

1. a Chinese house idol or cult image.

joss

²

[ jos ]

noun

, British, Australian Informal.

1. a foreman or boss.

joss

/ dʒɒs /

noun

1. a Chinese deity worshipped in the form of an idol

Word History and Origins

Origin of joss¹

1705–15; < Chinese Pidgin English < Portuguese deos < Latin deus god

Origin of joss²

First recorded in 1855–60; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of joss¹

C18: from pidgin English, from Portuguese deos god, from Latin deus

Example Sentences

Same for the fruit to set at my grandpa and grandma’s altar, as well as the joss paper to burn for their good fortune.

From Los Angeles Times

Other comments included: “One day soon, @joss_berry will regret having tweeted this. What a ghoulish tweet,” and “she is openly pushing violence on Twitter,” and “This is gonna cost her a job.”

From Washington Times

Taiwan's Chen Kun-huei, 82, is determined to keep alive an ancient tradition of making the "joss paper" by hand even as others have shifted to automated production at factories.

From Reuters

On a beach in southern Taiwan, thousands gathered as volunteers hoisted a 45-foot boat, lavishly painted in gold and red, on top of a mountain of joss paper.

From Washington Post

Residents can arrange funerals for departed animals complete with monks chanting last rites and a ceremony for burning joss paper so their spirits will live well in the afterlife.

From Washington Post