זרת

Hebrew

Root
ז־ר־ה (z-r-h)

Etymology

Compare Classical Syriac ܙܪܬܐ (zartå, “span; hand”). In the sense of "span", attested in the Tanakh; in the sense "pinky, little finger", attested since the Mishnaic Hebrew period.

Noun

the names of the five fingers in Hebrew

זֶרֶת • (zéret) f (plural indefinite זְרָתוֹת or זְרָתִים)

1. a pinky
2. a span (unit of measurement)
   • Tanach, Exodus 28:16, with translation of the Jewish Publication Society:

     רָבוּעַ יִהְיֶה כָּפוּל זֶרֶת אָרְכּוֹ וְזֶרֶת רָחְבּוֹ

     Four-square it shall be and double: a span shall be the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof.