n. (pl. rabbis)
1. a Jewish scholar or teacher, esp. of the law.
2 a person appointed as a Jewish religious leader.
Phrases and idioms:
Chief Rabbi the religious head of the Jewish communities in Britain.
Derivatives:
rabbinate n.
Etymology: ME & OE f. eccl.L f. Gk rhabbi f. Heb. rabb{icirc} my master f. rab master + pronominal suffix