Nazarite

or Naz·i·rite

[ naz-uh-rahyt ]

noun

1. (among the ancient Hebrews) a person who had taken certain strict religious vows, usually for a limited period.
2. Rare. a Nazarene.
3. Rare. Christ.
4. Obsolete. a Christian.

Nazarite

¹

/ ˈnæzəˌraɪt /

noun

1. another word for Nazarene Nazarene

Nazarite

²

/ ˈnæzəˌraɪt /

noun

1. a religious ascetic of ancient Israel

Other Words From

• Naz·a·rit·ic [naz-, uh, -, rit, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Nazarite¹

1550–60; < Late Latin Nāzar ( aeus ) (< Greek Nāzēraîos, equivalent to nāzēr (< Hebrew nāzīr consecrated person) + -aios suffix) + -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of Nazarite¹

C16: from Latin Nazaraeus, from Hebrew nāzīr, from nāzar to consecrate + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

He explained that the Bible says that while someone is observing the Nazarite vow, "no razor may be used on their head."

From Fox News

Translations from Hebrew and Christian scriptures tell the story of Samson, a Nazarite and judge, whose locked hair was the source of his strength, and which was famously cut with dire consequences.

From The Guardian

He would be specially dedicated as a Nazarite to God’s service.

From Project Gutenberg

This Nazarite child is accepted for the perpetual service of God at once and without remark.

From Project Gutenberg

One would bring up a copy of St. Matthew's Gospel, which, on investigation, would turn out to be full of Nazarite or Ebionite "improvements"—another would have an Acts of the Apostles, which had been bequeathed to him by some venerable Judaizant, and wherein St. James of Jerusalem would be found to have assumed more importance than St. Luke was generally supposed to have given him.

From Project Gutenberg