rosh

Rosh is a transliteration of the Hebrew word rosh, meaning "head." In biblical and modern Hebrew, rosh serves as a basic noun for the top or front part of something and is frequently used in various phrases and compounds to convey the idea of a beginning, leader, or important point.

In religious and calendar contexts, rosh appears in terms that mark time or beginnings. The best-known examples are Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and Rosh Chodesh, the designation of the start of a new lunar month. In these phrases, rosh conveys the sense of an initiating point or head of a cycle.

In toponymy and place names, rosh is a common component in Israel and among Hebrew-speaking communities. It often appears in names that signal a principal part or prominent location within a place, such as Rosh HaAyin or Rosh Pina. In these cases the element rosh functions as a descriptive root within a proper noun.

As a linguistic root, rosh can also function in modern usage beyond religious or geographic names. It appears in a variety of phrases where the meaning "head," "top," or "leader" is significative, depending on the accompanying words.

Rosh should be understood as a versatile Hebrew root rather than a single standalone entity. Its exact meaning in any instance depends on context, including accompanying terms and cultural usage.