מזל

Hebrew

Root
נ־ז־ל (n-z-l)
3 terms

Etymology

Likely from Akkadian 𒌓𒁕 (manzaltum). Compare Aramaic מַזָּלָא (mazzālā, constellation; luck, destiny) (Classical Mandaic ࡌࡀࡍࡆࡀࡋࡀ (manzala, constellation; zodiac sign)).

Pronunciation

Noun

מַזָּל • (mazálm (plural indefinite מַזָּלוֹת) [pattern: מַקְטָל]

  1. (biblical) constellation, stars
  2. (historical, astrology) planet: any of the seven major celestial bodies that move relative to the stars in the night sky; that is, the Sun, Venus, Mercury, the Moon, Saturn, Jupiter, or Mars
  3. (astrology) astrological sign (any of twelve signs, corresponding to constellations, that are used as the basis of astrology)
  4. fortune, fate, destiny: that which happens to a given person at a given time, due supposedly to the positions of the planets in the Zodiac at that time and at the time of that person's birth
  5. luck, chance, fortune: that which happens due to chance rather than to planning
  6. (specifically) luck, good luck, good fortune

Derived terms

  • גַּלְגַּל הַמַּזָּלוֹת (galgál hamazalót)
  • עוֹבֵד כּוֹכָבִים וּמַזָּלוֹת (ovéd kokhavím umazalót), עַכּוּ״ם (akú"m)
  • מַזָּל טוֹב (mazál tóv)

Descendants

  • Judeo-Arabic: מזל (mazzal)
  • Ladino: mazal
  • Yiddish: מזל (mazl)
  • Ancient Greek: κακομάζαλος (kakomázalos)

References

  • מזל” in the Hebrew Terms Database of the Academy of Hebrew Language

Further reading

Ladino

Etymology

From medieval Hebrew מזל.

Noun

מזל m (Latin spelling mazal)

  1. star, destiny

Yiddish

Etymology

From Hebrew מַזָּל (mazzāl).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈmazɫ̩/

Noun

מזל • (mazln, plural מזלות (mazoles)

  1. (astrology) astrological sign
  2. (uncountable) (good) luck

Derived terms

Descendants