Sabbath

Sabbath, sab′ath, n. among the Jews, the seventh day of the week, set apart for the rest from work: among Christians, the first day of the week, in memory of the resurrection of Christ, called also Sunday and the Lord's Day: among the ancient Jews, the seventh year, when the land was left fallow: a time of rest.—adj. pertaining to the Sabbath.—n. Sabbatā′rian, a very strict observer of the Sabbath: one who observes the seventh day of the week as the Sabbath.—adj. pertaining to the Sabbath or to Sabbatarians.—ns. Sabbatā′rianism; Sabb′ath-break′er, one who profanes the Sabbath; Sabb′ath-break′ing, profanation of the Sabbath.—adjs. Sabb′athless (Bacon), without Sabbath or interval of rest: without intermission of labour; Sabbat′ic, -al, pertaining to, or resembling, the Sabbath: enjoying or bringing rest.—n. Sabbat′ical-year, every seventh year, in which the Israelites allowed their fields and vineyards to lie fallow.—adj. Sabb′atine, pertaining to the Sabbath.—v.i. and v.t. Sabb′atise, to keep the Sabbath: to convert into a Sabbath.—n. Sabb′atism, rest, as on the Sabbath: intermission of labour.—Sabbath-day's journey, the distance of 2000 cubits, or about five furlongs, which a Jew was permitted to walk on the Sabbath, fixed by the space between the extreme end of the camp and the ark (Josh. iii. 4); Sabbath School (see Sunday school).—Witches' Sabbath, a midnight meeting of Satan with witches, devils, and sorcerers for unhallowed orgies and the travestying of divine rites. [L. Sabbatum, gener. in pl. Sabbata—Gr. Sabbaton—Heb. Shabbāth, rest.]