shammes

noun sham·mes \ˈshä-məs\

plural sham·mo·sim \shä-ˈmȯ-səm\

Definition of SHAMMES

: the sexton of a synagogue

: the candle or taper used to light the other candles in a Hanukkah menorah

Yiddish shames, from Late Hebrew shāmmāsh

First Known Use: 1650

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