hanukka

1 definition found

hanukka - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Hanukka \Ha"nuk*ka\, or Hanukkah \Ha"nuk*kah\, n. [Heb.
     khanukk[=a]h.]
     The Jewish Feast of the Dedication, instituted by Judas
     Maccab[ae]us, his brothers, and the whole congregation of
     Israel, in 165 b. c., to commemorate the dedication of the
     new altar set up at the purification of the temple of
     Jerusalem to replace the altar which had been polluted by
     Antiochus Epiphanes of Syria (--1 Maccabees i. 58, iv. 59).
     The feast, which is mentioned in John x. 22, is held for
     eight days (beginning with the 25th day of Kislev,
     corresponding to December), and is celebrated everywhere,
     chiefly as a festival of lights, by the Jews. [Also spelled
     Chanuka.]
  
     Syn: Chanukah, Festival of Lights, Feast of Dedication, Feast
          of the Dedication.
          [Webster 1913 Suppl.]