סגולה

Hebrew

Etymology 1

Root
ס־ג־ל (s-g-l)

Compare Aramaic סְגֻלתִא (s'gulti, “property”) and Akkadian 𒀖𒄞𒄭𒀀 (AB₂.GU₄.ḪI.A /⁠sugullum⁠/, “herd of cattle”).

Noun

סגולה / סְגֻלָּה • (s'gulá, səḡullā) f (plural indefinite סגולות / סְגֻלּוֹת, singular construct סגולת / סְגֻלַּת־) [pattern: קְטֻלָּה]

1. a virtue, a valuable property, a unique quality, a desired thing, a select treasure
   • c. 1400, “Yigdal”, verse 6:

     שֶׁפַע נְבוּאָתוֹ נְתָנוֹ,
     אֶל אַנְשֵׁי סְגֻלָּתוֹ וְתִפְאַרְתּוֹ׃

     Shéfa nevu'atú netanó,
     él anshéi sgulató vetif'artó.

     The abundance of His prophecy He granted them,
     unto the men of His treasure and His glory.

2. a talisman
3. a folk remedy

Etymology 2

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Adjective

סגולה / סְגֻלָּה • (s'gulá)

1. Feminine singular indefinite form of סגול / סָגֹל (sagól).

References

• “סגולה” in the Hebrew Terms Database of the Academy of Hebrew Language

Yiddish

Etymology

From Hebrew סְגֻלָּה (s'gulá).

Noun

סגולה • (sgule) f, plural סגולות (sgules)

1. charm, amulet, remedy