Latin interjection meaning “Idiot!” or “Putz!”
I saw the word in today’s Gospel and did not know its meaning.
Quī autem dīxerit frātrī suō, raca!, reus erit conciliō. And whoever says to his brother, idiot!, shall be liable to answer to the council.
4th century, Saint Jerome, Vulgate, Matthew 5:22
Borrowed from Ancient Greek ῥακά (rhaká), from Aramaic רֵיקָא (rēqā, “worthless person”, from Classical Syriac ܪܝܩܐ (rēqā, “vanity”).
I saw the word in today’s Gospel and did not know its meaning.
Quī autem dīxerit frātrī suō, raca!, reus erit conciliō. And whoever says to his brother, idiot!, shall be liable to answer to the council.
4th century, Saint Jerome, Vulgate, Matthew 5:22
Borrowed from Ancient Greek ῥακά (rhaká), from Aramaic רֵיקָא (rēqā, “worthless person”, from Classical Syriac ܪܝܩܐ (rēqā, “vanity”).
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