mem

Everyday

1. The thirteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, written מ. tree →
2. A short form of «memory» or «member» in notes (mem.), or a cut-off part of «memo» or «memsahib». tree →
3. (old, India) Short for «memsahib», a word servants in British India used for a European lady. tree →

In the lessons

In Bible studies the Hebrew letters (aleph, beth ... mem ...) head the parts of Psalm 119. In computer talk «mem» can mean memory. In old stories about British India, a «mem» or «memsahib» was a European lady.

Examples

• Mem is the thirteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. tree →
• Psalm 119 has a part headed «Mem». tree →
• (note) mem. = member of the club. tree →
• In the old story the servant said, «The Mem-sahib is resting.» tree →
• The computer showed «mem: 8 GB». tree →
• Each part of Psalm 119 begins with the next Hebrew letter. tree →

Note

Not a full English word on its own; check what it stands for. «Mum» and «mam» are different words for mother.

In Jewish tradition

Mem is the thirteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In Sefer Yetzirah it is one of the three "mother" letters and stands for water.

Interpretation. Sefer Yetzirah calls Mem silent, like water, and sets it against Shin, fire. Mem is also linked with the lips and with the mouth, where it is formed.

Examples

• Bet-Waw-Mem-Peh, between the lips and in front of the tongue. (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation) tree →
• The Three Mothers are Aleph, Mem and Shin, they are Air, Water and Fire. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →
• Three mothers, Alef-Mem-Shin—In the Person [note 1: There is no satisfactory English equivalent of Hebrew נֶפֶשׁ nefesh, translated reluctantly as ‘person’. (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation) tree →

Note

Not a full English word on its own; check what it stands for. «Mum» and «mam» are different words for mother.