Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A departure or flight; specifically, the departure of Mohammed from Mecca to Medina, a. d. 622, to escape the enmity of the Meccans; hence, the Mohammedan era, reckoned by lunar years of 354 and 355 days from July 16th, 622, though the true date of the event is supposed to be about June 19th.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun See hegira.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun the flight of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 which marked the beginning of the Muslim era; the Muslim calendar begins in that year
  • noun a journey by a large group to escape from a hostile environment

Etymologies

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Examples

  • The Hejira is the beginning of the Mohammedan era; and so in all countries where the rulers and people are

    Famous Men of the Middle Ages Addison B. Poland 1885

  • Some of my favorite lines from Joni Mitchell, from the song "Hejira," on the album of the same name:

    The Mitigation of Moving On floreta 2009

  • With "Hejira," issued a year later, she made an album for the ages.

    A 65th Birthday Tribute to Joni Mitchell 2008

  • Reading that made me think of this passage from "Song for Sharon" on her great album -- I have it framed and hanging on a wall in my house -- "Hejira":

    Archive 2007-04-01 Ann Althouse 2007

  • Why not "Hejira" or "A Case of You" or "I Wish I Had a River" or any of ten others?

    Sincere divas. Ann Althouse 2005

  • The title track, "Hejira" is okay, but much darker than all else on the album.

    Epinions Recent Content for Home 2010

  • The title track, "Hejira" is okay, but much darker than all else on the album.

    Epinions Recent Content for Home 2010

  • Subsequently I grew up, and 'Hejira' has nestled comfortably in my top 10 records for many years, while 'At Budokan' some time ago assisted a child in Africa via the good offices of Oxfam.

    Word Magazine - Comments James Blast 2009

  • On first listening I judged 'Hejira' to be the most boring, jazz-infected rubbish I had ever heard; to the extent that I returned it to the record shop the following day in part exchange for a copy of the recently released 'Bob Dylan At Budokan'.

    Word Magazine - Comments 2009

  • Subsequently I grew up, and 'Hejira' has nestled comfortably in my top 10 records for many years, while 'At Budokan' some time ago assisted a child in Africa via the good offices of Oxfam.

    Word Magazine - Comments 2009

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