[shib.bo.leth] n [Heb shibboleth stream; fr. the use of this word in Judg 12:6 as a test to distinguish Gileadites from Ephraimites, who pronounced it sibboleth] (1638) 1 a: a word or saying used by adherents of a party, sect, or belief and usu. regarded by others as empty of real meaning "the old ~s come rolling off their lips --Joseph Epstein" b: a widely held belief "today this book publishing ~ is a myth --L. A. Wood" c: truism, platitude "some truth in the ~ that crime does not pay --Lee Rogow"
2. a: a use of language regarded as distinctive of a particular group "accent was ... a ~ of social class --Vivian Ducat" b: a custom or usage regarded as distinguishing one group from others "for most of the well-to-do in the town, dinner was a ~, its hour dividing mankind --Osbert Sitwell"