Hebrew edit

Etymology 1 edit

Root
ב־י־ן (b-y-n)

Action noun of the verb הֵבִין (hevín).

Pronunciation edit

Noun edit

הֲבָנָה (havanáf (plural indefinite הֲבָנוֹת, singular construct הֲבָנַת־) [pattern: הַקְטָלָה]

  1. an understanding, comprehension
  2. an insight, a concept
  3. an informal contract, mutual agreement
  4. a reconciliation of differences
  5. sympathy

Etymology 2 edit

In modern Hebrew from the Bible, where it is a hapax. Probably borrowed from Egyptian hbnj, itself of uncertain origin (possibly from Nubian).

Cognate with Ancient Greek ἔβενος (ébenos) and all its derivatives, including ebony and أبنوس.

Pronunciation edit

Noun edit

הָבְנֶה (hovnéhm (plural indefinite הובנים / הָבְנִים)

  1. ebony, ebony tree
    • Tanach, Ezekiel 27:15, with translation of the Jewish Publication Society:
      בְּנֵי דְדָן רֹכְלַיִךְ אִיִּים רַבִּים סְחֹרַת יָדֵךְ קַרְנוֹת שֵׁן וְהָבְנִים הֵשִׁיבוּ אֶשְׁכָּרֵךְ
      Bənei Dədan rokhəláyikh, iyyim rabbim səkhorath yadekh; qarnoth shen vəhovnim heshívu eshkarekh.
      The men of Dedan were thy traffickers; many isles were the mart of thy hand; they brought thee as tribute horns of ivory and ebony.

References edit