Sanhedrin

[ san-hed-rin, -hee-drin, sahn-, san-i-drin ]

nounJewish History.
  1. Also called Great Sanhedrin. the highest council of the ancient Jews, consisting of 71 members, and exercising authority from about the 2nd century b.c.

  2. Also called Lesser Sanhedrin. a lower tribunal of this period, consisting of 23 members.

Origin of Sanhedrin

1
1580–90; <late Hebrew Sanhedhrīn<Greek synédrion, equivalent to syn-syn- + hédr(a) seat (cf. cathedral) + -ion noun suffix
  • Also San·he·drim [san-hi-drim, san-i-]. /ˈsæn hɪ drɪm, ˈsæn ɪ-/.

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British Dictionary definitions for Sanhedrin

Sanhedrin

/ (ˈsænɪdrɪn) /


nounJudaism
  1. the supreme judicial, ecclesiastical, and administrative council of the Jews in New Testament times, having 71 members

  2. a similar tribunal of 23 members having less important functions and authority

Origin of Sanhedrin

1
C16: from Late Hebrew, from Greek sunedrion council, from sun- syn- + hedra seat

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