manna
/ˈmanə
/noun [mass noun]
1(In the Bible) the substance miraculously supplied as food to the Israelites in the wilderness (Exod. 16).The Israelites feasted on manna in the wilderness....
- In the Old Testament it was manna in the wilderness.
- God had fed the Israelites in the wilderness with manna, but also with ‘miraculous flocks of quail’.
1.1Something beneficial that appears or is provided unexpectedly or opportunely: a major aircraft accident is manna to lawyers...
- With a cap on what charities could get, however, any further increase in betting limits became manna from heaven for the private casino industry.
- And Parker is manna from heaven for all sorts of reasons.
- The general opinion was he was manna from heaven.
1.2(In Christian contexts) spiritual nourishment, especially the Eucharist.When our message is that God is mercy for outcasts and sinners and manna for everyone, how can we not preach?...
- God is not only mercy for sinners and outcasts but manna for everyone.
- Can we translate full-gospel preaching, both manna and mercy, into the language of the Web?
2A sweet gum obtained from the manna ash or a similar plant, used as a mild laxative.
Origin
Old English, via late Latin and Greek from Aramaic mannā, from Hebrew mān, corresponding to Arabic mann, denoting a product of the tamarisk Tamarix mannifera.