sabbatical
UK: səˈbætɪkəl | US: səˈbætɪkəl
n. a period of paid leave granted to a professional for rest, travel, or research, often after a set term of service
adj. relating to or characteristic of a sabbatical
sabbatical = sabbat<rest> + ical<relating to>
- sabbat (from Hebrew shabbat "rest," originally referring to the seventh day of the week, a day of rest in Jewish tradition)
- ical (suffix meaning "relating to," from Latin -icalis)
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to the Hebrew shabbat, the day of rest in Judaism. Over time, "sabbatical" evolved in academic contexts to denote a year-long break from teaching, mirroring the cyclical rest of the Sabbath. The suffix -ical formalized it as an adjective and later a noun describing extended leave for rejuvenation or study.
After seven years of teaching, she took a sabbatical to write her book.
His sabbatical in Japan allowed him to study traditional pottery techniques.
The university offers sabbatical leave to senior faculty every decade.
During her sabbatical, she volunteered with an environmental NGO.
He returned from his sabbatical with fresh ideas for the curriculum.