manna
noun/ˈmænə/
/ˈmænə/
[uncountable]- (in the Bible) the food that God provided for the people of Israel during their 40 years in the desert
- (figurative) To the refugees, the food shipments were manna from heaven (= an unexpected and very welcome gift).
Word OriginOld English, via late Latin and Greek from Aramaic mannā, from Hebrew mān, corresponding to Arabic mann, denoting a product of the tamarisk (a shrub or small tree) Tamarix mannifera.Want to learn more?
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