Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A male given name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge."
   • A prophet in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), known for his wisdom, interpretation of dreams, and divine protection.
   • The book of the Bible named after the prophet Daniel, containing narratives and apocalyptic visions.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun (Name):
  • Daniel is a very common name in many English-speaking countries.
  • My colleague's name is Daniel, but we call him Dan.
• Proper noun (Biblical Figure):
  • In the Bible, Daniel was known for interpreting King Nebuchadnezzar's dream.
  • The story of Daniel in the lions' den is a well-known biblical account.
• Proper noun (Biblical Book):
  • The prophecies in the Book of Daniel are studied by many scholars.
  • We read a passage from Daniel during the service.

Advanced Usage

• "a Daniel come to judgment": This is a literary idiom, originating from Shakespeare's (Act IV, Scene I). It is used to describe a person, especially a young or unexpected one, who shows great wisdom and fairness in making a difficult decision or judgment.
  • The junior lawyer's brilliant argument settled the case; he was like a Daniel come to judgment.

Variants and Related Words

• Dan (n): A common short form or nickname for Daniel.
  • Hi, I'm Dan.
• Danny (n): Another common diminutive or familiar form of Daniel.
  • Danny is coming over later.

Synonyms

• Arbiter: A person who settles a dispute or has ultimate authority in a matter. (Relates to the meaning of the name and the "judgment" idiom.)
• Prophet: A person regarded as an inspired teacher or proclaimer of the will of God. (Relates to the biblical figure.)
• Seer: A person who is supposed to be able, through supernatural insight, to see what the future holds. (Relates to Daniel's ability to interpret dreams and visions.)

Idioms Related

• "A Daniel in the lions' den": Used to describe a person in a very dangerous or hostile situation, often facing aggressive opponents, who remains calm and survives through faith, integrity, or wisdom. This derives directly from the biblical story.
  • The whistleblower felt like a Daniel in the lions' den when testifying before the hostile committee.

Noun

1. an Old Testament book that tells of the apocalyptic visions and the experiences of Daniel in the court of Nebuchadnezzar
2. a wise and upright judge
   • a Daniel come to judgment -- Shakespeare
3. (Old Testament) a youth who was taken into the court of Nebuchadnezzar and given divine protection when thrown into a den of lions (6th century BC)