Definition: Synagogue

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Etymology

From Middle English synagoge, from Old French synagoge, from Latin synagōga, from Ancient Greek σῠνᾰγωγή or sunagōgḗ (assembly, gathering), from συνάγω or sunágō (I gather together), from σῠ́ν or sún (with, together) + ᾰ̓́γω or ágō (I lead). By surface analysis, syn- (from Ancient Greek συν- (sun-), from σύν (sún) meaning “with, in company with, together with”) + -agogue (from Ancient Greek ἀγωγός (agōgós) meaning “leading”, from ἄγω (ágō) meaning “I lead”).

Noun

synagogue (plural synagogues)

  1. A place of worship for Jews or Samaritans.
  2. A congregation of Jews or Samaritans for the purpose of worship or religious study.

Derived terms

  • synagogal
  • synagogical

Credits

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