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Shi·va

(shēvə) also Si·va(shēvə, sē-)

n.
Hinduism

One of the principal Hindu deities, worshiped as the destroyer and restorer of worlds and in numerous other forms. Shiva is often conceived as a member of the Trimurti, along with Brahma and Vishnu.

[Sanskritśivaḥ, fromśiva-, auspicious, dear; see kei- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

Shiva·ism, Siva·ismn.

Shiva·ist, Siva·istn.

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Shiva

13th-century Indian bronze statue

shiv·a also shiv·ah or shib·ah

(shĭvə)

n.
Judaism

A seven-day period of formal mourning observed after the funeral of a close relative.

[Yiddishshive, fromHebrewšib'â, seven; see šbʿ in the Appendix of Semitic roots.]

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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