cheshvan: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Religious, Historical
Quick answer
What does “cheshvan” mean?
The second month of the civil year and the eighth month of the ecclesiastical year in the Hebrew calendar, following Tishrei.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The second month of the civil year and the eighth month of the ecclesiastical year in the Hebrew calendar, following Tishrei.
A month in the Jewish lunisolar calendar, notable for having no major religious holidays, often called "Marcheshvan" (bitter Cheshvan) in traditional sources due to this lack of festivals.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage between British and American English; the term is specific to Jewish contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
Carries cultural and religious connotations related to Judaism and the Hebrew calendar.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general English; encountered almost exclusively within texts or discussions concerning Jewish tradition, history, or calendar.
Grammar
How to Use “cheshvan” in a Sentence
[in] + Cheshvan[during] + Cheshvan[the month of] + CheshvanVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in theological, historical, or cultural studies papers discussing the Hebrew calendar, Jewish festivals, or ancient Near Eastern chronology.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday English conversation outside of specific Jewish community contexts.
Technical
Used in precise calendrical calculations, astronomical references for the Hebrew calendar, or liturgical planning.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cheshvan”
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cheshvan”
- Misspelling as 'Chesvan' or 'Heshvan'.
- Incorrectly capitalising only the first letter when used mid-sentence (it is a proper noun).
- Pronouncing the 'Ch' as /tʃ/ (as in 'chair') instead of the guttural /ḥ/ or /h/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is the traditional full name for Cheshvan. 'Mar' can mean 'bitter' in Hebrew, alluding to the month's lack of festivals, or 'drop', referring to the beginning of the rainy season in Israel.
Cheshvan is a lunar month, so its dates in the Gregorian calendar vary from year to year, typically spanning parts of October and November.
There are no Biblically mandated festivals. Some minor fasts or commemorations may occur, and in some traditions, the 7th of Cheshvan marks the start of praying for rain in the diaspora.
Its 'emptiness' is itself significant, representing a return to ordinary time and the practical application of spiritual insights gained during the preceding festive month. It is also the month associated with the completion of Solomon's Temple.
The second month of the civil year and the eighth month of the ecclesiastical year in the Hebrew calendar, following Tishrei.
Cheshvan is usually formal, religious, historical in register.
Cheshvan: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɛʃvən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɛʃvən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Chesh' sounds like 'hush'—a quiet, 'bitter' month with no major holidays following the festive month of Tishrei.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A CYCLE (specifically a religious/agricultural cycle); A MONTH CAN BE EMPTY/BITTER (Marcheshvan).
Practice
Quiz
What is a common alternative name for Cheshvan, reflecting its character in the Jewish calendar?