Hillel

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A famous first-century Jewish religious scholar known for his teachings ; a worldwide network of Jewish student centers on university campuses
2. A renowned rabbinic sage of the first century BCE ; an international organization that runs Jewish student groups and centers at colleges
3. Name of an influential Jewish teacher of ancient times ; a Jewish outreach body that supports student life on university campuses

Etymology: Hillel is a Hebrew name, and in English it appears as a proper noun for a figure of Jewish tradition. The Hebrew form, הִלֵּל (Hillḗl), was borrowed directly into English, so the name reached English readers as a transliteration from Hebrew rather than through Latin or Greek. The name is closely tied to Hillel the Elder, a sage of the late Second Temple period whose teachings are preserved in the Mishnah and Talmud. English usage follows the Hebrew closely, and the name is still used as a given name in Jewish and non-Jewish contexts alike.