Hebrew edit

Etymology edit

Perhaps a shortened form of *אבהוקה (avhuka), from the root ב־ה־ק (b-h-q), compare with בָּהַק (bahák, to shine, glow).

Pronunciation edit

  • (file)

Noun edit

אֲבוּקָה (avukaf (plural indefinite אֲבוּקוֹת)

  1. (bundle of twigs) torch
    • 1916, Hayim Nahman Bialik, In Honour of Hanukkah 1–4:
      אָבִי הִדְלִיק נֵרוֹת לִי / וְשַׁמָּשׁ לוֹ אֲבוּקָה – / יוֹדְעִים אַתֶּם לִכְבוֹד מִי? / לִכְבוֹד הַחֲנֻכָּה!
      My father has lit candles for me / And his shamash a torch – / Do you know for the honour of whom? / For the honour of Hanukkah!

References edit

  • Jastrow, Marcus (1903) A Dictionary of the Targumim, the Talmud Babli and Yerushalmi, and the Midrashic Literature, London, New York: Luzac & Co., G.P. Putnam's Sons