Job's tears

plural noun

1
: hard usually pearly white seeds of a tropical southeast Asian grass (Coix lacryma-jobi) often used as beads
2
singular in construction : the grass producing Job's tears

Illustration of Job's tears

Illustration of job's tears
  • Job's tears 2

Examples of Job's tears in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The ancient recipe for beer included broomcorn millet, barley, Job's tears (a type of grain-bearing plant native to south-east Asia), and tubers. Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 23 May 2016

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Job's tears was in 1597

Dictionary Entries Near Job's tears

Cite this Entry

“Job's tears.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Job%27s%20tears. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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