jubilee

jubilee · noun¹

1. Hebrew · derived fromיוֹבֵל“ram, trumpet made from a ram’s horn; jubilee”
2. Ancient Greek · derived fromἰωβηλαῖος“of a jubilee”
3. Late Latin · derived fromiūbilaeus
4. Old French · derived fromjubilee
5. Middle French · derived fromjubile
6. Middle English · inherited fromjubile
7. English todayjubilee

From Late Middle English jubile [and other forms], from Middle French jubile, from Old French jubilee, jubileus (modern French jubilé), from Late Latin iūbilaeus (adjective, also treated as a noun), from Ancient Greek ἰωβηλαῖος (iōbēlaîos, “of a jubilee”), from ἰώβηλος (iṓbēlos, “jubilee”) + -ῐος (-ĭos, suffix meaning ‘of or pertaining to’ forming adjectives). Ἰώβηλος (Iṓbēlos) is derived from Hebrew יוֹבֵל (yōḇēl, “ram, trumpet made from a ram’s horn; jubilee”) (because a ram’s horn trumpet was originally used to proclaim the event; see Leviticus 25:9), influenced by Latin iūbilum (“a cry, a shout”) and iūbilō (“to cheer, shout or sing joyfully”). Cognate with Italian giubileo, Spanish jubileo.

Jubilee · proper noun, noun²

See jubilee. The proper noun sense (“London Underground line”) was named after the silver jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom (1926–2022) in 1977.

First known use, by meaning

• from late 14th c. A special year of emancipation supposed to be observed every fifty years, when farming was temporarily stopped, certain houses and land which had been sold could be redeemed by the original owners or their relatives, and Hebrew slaves set free.
• from 15th c. A special year (originally held every hundred years, then at more frequent intervals, and now declarable by the Pope at any time and also for periods less than a year) in which plenary indulgences and remission from sin can be granted upon making a pilgrimage to Rome or other designated churches.
• from late 14th c. A major anniversary of an event, particularly the fiftieth (50th) anniversary of a coronation or marriage.
• from late 16th c. A time for release or restitution.
• from late 16th c. A time of celebration or rejoicing.
• from early 16th c. Exultation, rejoicing; jubilation.
• from 16th c. The sound of celebration or rejoicing; shouts of joy.
• from late 19th c. A joyful African-American (usually Christian) folk song.