[ˈʃɑːməʃ], (Noun)

Definitions:
- A warden of a synagogue.

- A ninth candle used for lighting the candles on each of the eight nights of Hanukkah.

- a candle that is used to light the other eight candles in a menorah on each of the nights of Hanukkah
(e.g: each night during the eight-night holiday, Jewish people light menorah candles using a shamash)

- a warden of a synagogue


Phrases:

Origin:
mid 17th century. From Yiddish shames attendant from post-biblical Hebrew šammāš attendant, servant, caretaker, (specifically) sexton of a synagogue, beadle of a Beth Din, (in later use also) an extra candle used for lighting Hanukkah candles from šimmēš to serve
Yiddish shames ‘attendant’ from Hebrew šammāš ‘attendant, servant, caretaker’