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Gabbai

[ Sephardic Hebrew gah-bahy; Ashkenazic Hebrew gah-bahy; English guh-bahy ]

/ Sephardic Hebrew gɑˈbaɪ; Ashkenazic Hebrew ˈgɑ baɪ; English gəˈbaɪ /

noun, plural Gab·ba·im [Sephardic Hebrew gah-bah-eem; Ashkenazic Hebrew gah-bahy-im] /Sephardic Hebrew gɑ bɑˈim; Ashkenazic Hebrew gɑˈbaɪ ɪm/, English Gab·bais. (sometimes lowercase) Hebrew.

a minor official of a synagogue, having limited ceremonial or administrative functions.

(in the early Middle Ages) a government official charged with collecting taxes.

Origin of Gabbai

literally, treasurer

Example sentences from the Web for gabbai

Shame on you—you a Gabbai (treasurer) of the Great Synagogue.

The King of Schnorrers |Israel Zangwill
There was a burst of laughter, to the Gabbai's great astonishment.

Ghetto Comedies |Israel Zangwill
You're the first Gabbai I ever knew who was satisfied with his balance-sheet.

Ghetto Comedies |Israel Zangwill
He heaved a deep sigh at his own hypocrisy, and the Gabbai sighed in response.

Dreamers of the Ghetto |I. Zangwill

Then S. Cohn felt not only Gabbai, but town councillor again.

Ghetto Comedies |Israel Zangwill