Għisa

See also: ghisa

Maltese

Etymology

From Arabic عِيسَى (ʕīsā, “Jesus”, among Muslims), of uncertain precise origins, but eventually from Hebrew יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (yəhōšu^aʿ). Among the clergy and townsfolk it was probably replaced with Italo-Romance Ġesù fairly early on. In some areas, however, it appears to have survived for very long. Vassalli still gives Sidna Għisa for “Dominus noster Iesus”, although for him this use is chiefly that of the “Saracens”, whereas the name properly refers to Joshua (it and Jesus going back to the same Hebrew form). In line with the general absence of Christian Arabic names in Maltese, there seems to be no trace of the proper Christian form يَسُوع (yasūʕ), unless it were perhaps found in the expression jessu għalik.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɛj.sa/, /ˈaj.sa/
• IPA^(key): /ˈəˤj.sa/ (archaic)
• Rhymes: -ɛjsa, -ajsa, -əˤjsa

Proper noun

Għisa m

1. (obsolete) Jesus

   Synonym: Ġesù

2. (obsolete) Joshua

   Synonym: Ġożwè

Derived terms

• Bengħisa