Hamas
[ hah-mahs ]
/ hɑˈmɑs /
noun
a Palestinian Islamic fundamentalist movement engaged in grass-roots organizing and armed resistance and terrorism against Israel.
Origin of Hamas
From the Arabic word
hamas, literally, zeal
Definition for hamas (2 of 2)
Hama
[ hah-mah, hah-mah ]
/ ˈhɑ mɑ, hɑˈmɑ /
noun
a city in W Syria, on the Orontes River.
Ancient
Epiphania. Biblical name
Hamath.
Example sentences from the Web for hamas
British Dictionary definitions for hamas (1 of 2)
Hamas
/ (ˈhæmæs) /
noun
an organization founded in 1987 with the aim of establishing an Islamic state in Palestine
Word Origin for Hamas
C20: Arabic: zeal; also an acronym for
haraka muqawama islamia Islamic Armed Movement
British Dictionary definitions for hamas (2 of 2)
Hama
/ (ˈhɑːmɑː) /
noun
a city in W Syria, on the Orontes River: an early Hittite settlement; famous for its huge water wheels, used for irrigation since the Middle Ages. Pop: 439 000 (2005 est)
Biblical name: Hamath
Cultural definitions for hamas
Hamas
A radical Palestinian organization founded in 1987 in opposition to the moderate policies of the Palestine Liberation Organization. In a controversial move, Yasir Arafat has brought members of Hamas into positions of authority within the Palestinian Authority. Hamas sponsors terrorism directed at Israel, especially in the form of suicide bombers in crowded places.