joseph meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

joseph

nounalso spelled Joseph

UK /ˈd͡ʒəʊsəf/ · US /ˈd͡ʒoʊsəf/

Etymology Probably in allusion to Joseph's coat of many colours in Genesis 37:3.

Capitalized, Sometimes A woman's riding habit worn in the 18th century with a long cape and buttons running down the front.

Some women, I grant, would not appear to advantage seated on a pillion, and attired in a drab joseph and a drab beaver-bonnet . . . travelling on pillions in snowy weather was unpleasant, though a joseph was a great protection . . . these ladies were so taken by surprise at finding such a lovely face and figure in an out-of-the-way country place, that they began to feel some curiosity about the dress she would put on when she took off her joseph1861, George Eliot [pseudonym; Mary Ann Evans], chapter XI, in Silas Marner: The Weaver of Raveloe, Edinburgh; London: William Blackwood and Sons, →OCLC:

Joseph

noun

UK /ˈd͡ʒəʊzɪf/ · US /ˈd͡ʒoʊzəf/

Etymology From Middle English Ioseph, ultimately from Biblical Hebrew יוֹסֵף (Yoséf, literally “(God) shall add”); a son of Jacob. Doublet of Yusuf. Noun sense 1 (“one whose chastity is above temptation”) is a reference to the story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife in Genesis 39.

One whose chastity is above temptation.

And my lady thought you a Joseph!1925, Stanley John Weyman, “XXVII The Return”, in Queen's Folly:
You're a kid Casanova, you're no Joseph It's a labor of love fucking yourself to death Orgasm addict, you're an orgasm addict1977, Buzzcocks, Orgasm Addict:

Humorous, Rare, Sometimes A coat or other garment of many colours.

When summoned to lecture on the following day, he made his appearance in a morning-coat which had been originally of tartan plaid, but sundry repairs of various patterns gave it at once the name of his "Joseph".1899, Richard William Hiley, Memories of Half a Century, page 38:
Charles Dickens, quoted in 1974, Madeline House & Graham Storey (eds.), Letters […] their Josephs again — their coats of many colors.

1 more example

[…] his Joseph attire of many colours, and ill-matching socks.1986, New Society, volumes 75-76, page 14: