Definition of Megillah in English:
Megillah
proper nounməˈɡɪləməˈɡɪlə
1A book of the Hebrew scriptures (the Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther) appointed to be read on certain Jewish notable days, especially the Book of Esther, read at the festival of Purim.
- 1.1as noun the whole megillahNorth American informal Something in its entirety, especially a complicated set of arrangements or a long-winded story.
you usually get the whole megillah, complete to the last screw
Example sentencesExamples
- So give ‘em the whole megillah… Do readers really want to know how miserable you are?
- And now that I've found a hairstyle that suits the inexorable genetic progress of hair erasure, it gives me pause to reflect on the whole megillah of pateness, as you put it.
- Johnson was decked out in lavish uniform: red and white robes, mitre, cross and crook - the whole megillah.
Origin
From Hebrew mĕḡillāh, literally 'scroll'.
Definition of Megillah in US English:
Megillah
proper nounməˈɡiləməˈɡɪlə
1One of five books of the Hebrew scriptures (the Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther) that are appointed to be read on certain Jewish notable days, especially the Book of Esther, read at the festival of Purim.
- 1.1as noun the whole megillahNorth American informal Something in its entirety, especially a complicated set of arrangements or a long-winded story.
you usually get the whole megillah, complete to the last screw
Example sentencesExamples
- Johnson was decked out in lavish uniform: red and white robes, mitre, cross and crook - the whole megillah.
- And now that I've found a hairstyle that suits the inexorable genetic progress of hair erasure, it gives me pause to reflect on the whole megillah of pateness, as you put it.
- So give ‘em the whole megillah… Do readers really want to know how miserable you are?
Origin
From Hebrew mĕḡillāh, literally ‘scroll’.