lehavdil

English

Alternative forms

• lehavdel

Etymology

From Yiddish להבֿדיל (lehavd(i)l), which in turn derives from Hebrew לְהַבְדִּיל (l'havdíl), the infinitive of הִבְדִּיל (hivdíl, “to separate, to distinguish”).

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /lə.ˈhɑv.dɪl/, /lə.ˈhɑv.dil/, /lə.hɑv.ˈdil/

Interjection

lehavdil

1. excuse the comparison

Usage notes

Put in a parenthetical phrase when mentioning two items, one of which is sacred, great, or happy, and the other of which is profane, inconsequential, or sad. It is commonly placed between the items to separate them, but is also used at the end or beginning of a sentence.