Websters Dictionary 1828
This online edition has been carefully prepared in a special format. All words, definitions, and examples have been preserved, but the explanations of word origins have been left out to make the data easier to use in a digital format. We have also removed Webster's long technical introduction for the same reason.
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Shibboleth
SHIB'BOLETH, noun [Heb. an ear of corn, or a stream of water.]
1. A word which was made the criterion by which to distinguish the Ephraimites not being able to pronounce the letter sh, pronounced the word sibboleth. See Judges 12:6. Hence,
2. The criterion of a party; or that which distinguishes one party from another; and usually some peculiarity in things of little importance.