ma nishtanan.
/ˌmɑːnɪʃˈtanə/, U.S. /ˌmɑnɪʃˈtɑnə/ Judaism.
The four questions in the Passover Haggadah traditionally asked by the youngest member of a Jewish household on Seder Night, the answers to which explain the meaning of the ceremonies; this part of the Passover celebrations.
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ma nishtana1902
1902 Jewish Chron. 18 Apr. 20/1 After the sanctification (Kiddush) with which our Haggadah begins..the four questions Ma nishtana are read.
1902 Jewish Chron. 25 Apr. 20/2 In olden times the children were provided with small nuts and chestnuts to give more zest to the question, ‘Ma nishtana’—‘why is this night different from all other nights?’
1904 Jewish Encycl. VI. 141/2 Its initial words, ‘Mah Nishtannah’, are used as the name of the Haggadah, as in the question: ‘What has Korah..to do in the Mah Nishtannah?’
1960 Jewish Chron. 8 Apr. 27/5 There was for me, the youngest boy, the important task of re-learning the Ma Nishtana.
1972 C. Raphael Feast of Hist. iii. 90 The spirit of ma nishtana—the Four Questions in the Haggadah.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2000; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1902