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Jo·seph¹

(jōzəf, -səf)

In the Bible, a son of Jacob and Rachel and the forebear of one of the tribes of Israel.

Jo·seph²

(jōzəf, -səf) Originally Heinmot Tooyalakekt. Known as "Chief Joseph." 1840?-1904.

Nez Perce leader who conducted a skillful but unsuccessful retreat from US forces (1877).

(click for a larger image)

Chief Joseph

1903 photograph by Edward S. Curtis (1868-1952)

Joseph, Saint fl. first century AD.

In the New Testament, the husband of Mary, mother of Jesus.

jo·seph

(jōzəf, -səf)

A long riding coat with a small cape, worn by women in the 1700s.

[After Joseph, who left an outer garment in the hands of Potiphar's wife when he fled her attempt to seduce him (Genesis 39:12).]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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