ˈræbaɪ n. (pl. rabbis) 1 a Jewishscholar or teacher, esp. of thelaw. 2 a person appointed as a Jewish religiousleader. øChief Rabbi the religious head of the Jewish communities in Britain. øørabbinate n. [ME & OE f. eccl.L f. Gk rhabbi f. Heb. rabbí my master f. rab master + pronominal suffix]