tevet: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (Specialist/Religious)Formal, Religious, Historical
Quick answer
What does “tevet” mean?
The fourth month of the civil year and the tenth month of the ecclesiastical year in the Hebrew calendar, occurring in December–January.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The fourth month of the civil year and the tenth month of the ecclesiastical year in the Hebrew calendar, occurring in December–January.
Refers specifically to the period associated with the Fast of Tevet (10 Tevet), a minor fast day commemorating the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage; term is consistent in Jewish communities worldwide.
Connotations
Carries religious and historical connotations related to Judaism. No inherent positive or negative charge outside its commemorative context.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties, encountered primarily in religious publications, calendars, or interfaith discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “tevet” in a Sentence
[the] month of Tevet[the] fast on Tevet 10in [the month of] TevetVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in religious studies, theology, or historical texts discussing the Hebrew calendar or Jewish history.
Everyday
Virtually never used in general conversation outside Jewish religious communities.
Technical
Precise term in calendrical studies or liturgy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “tevet”
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tevet”
- Misspelling as 'Teveth' or 'Tebet'.
- Mispronouncing with a soft 't' or incorrect vowel stress.
- Using it in a non-calendrical context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Tevet typically begins in late December and ends in January, but its exact Gregorian dates vary annually because the Hebrew calendar is lunisolar.
Yes, it is a proper noun, the name of a specific month, and should always be capitalized.
The primary observance is the minor fast on 10 Tevet, from dawn to dusk, with additional prayers and liturgical additions.
Rarely. One might refer to 'the Tevets of past years' in a historical analysis, but it is not common in everyday usage.
The fourth month of the civil year and the tenth month of the ecclesiastical year in the Hebrew calendar, occurring in December–January.
Tevet is usually formal, religious, historical in register.
Tevet: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtɛvɛt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtɛvət/ or /teɪˈvɛt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Tevet has 'vet' in it; a vet might treat an animal in the cold month of December–January, when Tevet occurs.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A CYCLE (as part of a recurring religious calendar).
Practice
Quiz
In what context is the word 'Tevet' primarily used?