Haganah

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Hebrew הַהֲגָנָה, literally "the defence" (see גָּנַן (ganán)) ultimately from the root ג־נ־ן (g-n-n).

Proper noun

Haganah

1. (historical) A Jewish paramilitary organization in the British Mandate of Palestine (1921–48), which became the core of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
   • 2023, Isabella Hammad, Enter Ghost, Jonathan Cape, page 181:

     The militias have already taken the centre of the city. Haganah trucks are visible in the squares, driving Arabs by armed force down to the port.