Ishmael

noun

Ish·​ma·​el ˈish-(ˌ)mā-əl How to pronounce Ishmael (audio)
-mē-
1
: the outcast son of Abraham and Hagar according to the account in Genesis and a prophet of Islam according to the Koran
2
: a social outcast

Word History

Etymology

Hebrew Yishmāʽēl

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Ishmael was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near Ishmael

Cite this Entry

“Ishmael.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Ishmael. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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