Jacob

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈdÍ¡Ê’eɪkÉ™b/

Origin

From Late Latin Iacobus, from Ancient Greek Ἰάκωβος, from Hebrew יעקב (ya'aqóbh; Modern: Yaakov, "Jacob", literally heel-grabber), from עקב (‘aqev, "heel of the foot"). Cognate with James.

Full definition of Jacob

Proper noun

1. One of the sons of Isaac and Rebecca, and twin brother of Esau; father of the Israelites.
• Authorized Version|Genesis|25|27And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents
2. .
• 1927 Ernest Hemingway: The Sun Also Rises: Chapter III:"Georgette. How are you called?" "Jacob." "That's a Flemish name." "American too." "You're not a Flamand?" "No, American." "Good, I detest Flamands." - - -Brett smiled at him. "I've promised to dance this with Jacob," she laughed. "You've a hell of a biblical name, Jake."
3. A breed of multihorned sheep.

Synonyms

• father of the Israelites: Israel

Derived terms

• Jacobean
• Jacob's ladder
• Jacob's membrane
• Jacob's staff

Related terms

• James and its variants
• Jake, Jay, Jacques
• feminine: Jacqueline