גבאי

Hebrew

Root
ג־ב־ה (g-b-h)

Etymology

Professional noun from the verb גָּבָה (gavá, “to collect (a debt)”).

Noun

גַּבַּאי • (gabái) m (plural indefinite גַּבָּאִים, singular construct גַּבַּאי־, plural construct גַּבָּאֵי־) [pattern: קַטָּל]

1. (obsolete, literal) collector of dues
2. gabbai, assistant at a synagogue

Derived terms

• גַּבַּאי צְדָקָה (gabái ts'daká, “charity collector”) (not obsolete)

Further reading

• גבאי on the Hebrew Wikipedia.Wikipedia ^he
• Gabbai on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

Yiddish

Etymology

From Hebrew גַּבַּאי.

Noun

גבאי • (gabe) m, plural גבאָים (gaboyem), feminine גבאיטע (gabete)

1. gabbai (synagogue functionary who serves to collect money for charity)
2. (Hasidic) (personal assistant to the rebbe)