xebba

Maltese

Etymology

From Arabic شَابَّة (šābba), feminine of شابّ (šābb). By surface analysis, xebb +‎ -a.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈʃɛb.ba/
• Homophone: xebba’ (except archaically)

Noun

xebba f (plural xebbiet, masculine xebb, diminutive xbejba)

1. female adolescent or young woman; girl (in this sense)

   Synonym: tfajla

2. bachelorette, damsel (unmarried girl or woman)
3. (religion or dated) virgin, maiden (girl or woman without sexual experience)

   Synonym: verġni

Related terms

• xbubija