Sabbatical
/səˈbætɪkəl/noun
Relating to a period of leave from work or study, often for rest, travel, or research.
Did you know?Sabbatical comes through Late Latin and Greek from the Hebrew Sabbath, a word tied to holy rest, so your modern “break” still carries an ancient rhythm of ritual pause.
Etymological Timeline
Hebrew Bible
Hebrew
šabbāt
“the Sabbath; a day of rest”
Ancient Greek
Greek
sabbatikós
“pertaining to the Sabbath”
Late Latin
Latin
sabbaticus
“of or belonging to the Sabbath”
Late Middle English
English
sabbatical
“pertaining to the Sabbath; later, a period of rest from work”
Modern English
English
sabbatical
“a leave of absence for rest, travel, or study”