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.

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

Esther, 14, and Angel, 10, were hurting, too.

From Los Angeles Times

Tasila and the former president's widow, Esther, continue to face corruptions charges, which they deny.

From BBC

“They approach their work with abandon, with any medium,” said María Esther Fernández, the center’s artistic director.

From Los Angeles Times

Apart from Spain's pair of two-time Ballon d'Or winners, striker Esther Gonzalez is the tournament's top scorer with four goals in five games.

From BBC

According to Esther Salas, a serving district judge in New Jersey, more than 100 judges have been subjected to fake pizza delivery orders.

From BBC