ציר

Hebrew

Etymology 1

Noun

צִיר • (tsír) m (plural indefinite צִירִים, singular construct צִיר־)

1. hinge, pivot, axis
   • Tanach, Proverbs 26:14, with translation of the New International Version:

     הַדֶּלֶת תִּסּוֹב עַל־צִירָהּ, וְעָצֵל עַל־מִטָּתוֹ.

     As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.

2. (diplomacy) minister (high-level diplomat, hierarchically below the rank of ambassador and above the rank of counselor)
   • Tanach, Obadiah 1:1, with translation of the Jewish Publication Society:

     ...וְצִיר בַּגּוֹיִם שֻׁלָּח קוּמוּ וְנָקוּמָה עָלֶיהָ לַמִּלְחָמָה.

     ...And a minister is sent among the nations: 'Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle.'

3. (usually in the plural) labor (pain at birth)
   • Tanach, Isaiah 21:3, with translation of the New International Version:

     עַל־כֵּן מָלְאוּ מָתְנַי חַלְחָלָה, צִירִים אֲחָזוּנִי כְּצִירֵי יוֹלֵדָה;

     At this my body is racked with pain, pangs seize me, like those of a woman in labor;

4. broth, sauce

Derived terms

• ציר זמן (“timeline”)

Etymology 2

Verb

צִיֵּר • (tsiyér) third-singular masculine past (pi'el construction)

1. defective spelling of צייר

Noun

צַיָּר • (tsayár) m

1. defective spelling of צייר

References

• “ציר” in the Hebrew Terms Database of the Academy of Hebrew Language

Further reading

• ציר on the Hebrew Wikipedia.Wikipedia ^he

Yiddish

Etymology

From Middle High German ziere, from Old High German ziari. Compare German Zier.

Noun

ציר • (tsir) m, plural צירן (tsirn)

1. ornament (element of decoration)

Related terms

• צירונג (tsirung, “jewellery”)