manna

 
Pronunciation: /ˈmanə/

noun

[mass noun]
  • 1(in the Bible) the substance miraculously supplied as food to the Israelites in the wilderness (Exod. 16).
  • something beneficial that appears or is provided unexpectedly or opportunely: a major aircraft accident is manna to lawyers
  • (in Christian contexts) spiritual nourishment, especially the Eucharist.
  • 2a sweet gum obtained from the manna ash or a similar plant, used as a mild laxative.

Origin:

Old English, via late Latin and Greek from Aramaic mannā, from Hebrew mān, corresponding to Arabic mann, denoting a product of the tamarisk Tamarix mannifera