[ mə'gɪlə ]
■ noun each of the books of the Hebrew scriptures (the Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther) appointed to be read on certain Jewish notable days.
Phrases
the whole megillah N. Amer. informal something in its entirety.
Origin
from Heb. mĕḡillāh , lit. 'scroll'.