1. A person who resides in a place temporarily: This is the most common meaning of the word. A sojourner is someone who is staying somewhere for a limited time, often for a specific purpose like work, study, or travel.
Example: "The traveler was a sojourner in the city, only staying for a week before moving on."
2. A person who makes a journey: This meaning emphasizes the act of traveling itself, rather than the temporary nature of the stay. It often implies a longer journey or a significant change in location.
Example: "The sojourner crossed the desert, searching for a new home."
3. (Specifically in biblical context): In the Bible, "sojourner" often refers to a stranger or foreigner residing in a foreign land, especially Israel. It has connotations of being temporary, vulnerable, and needing protection.
Example: "The Bible states that the Israelites were sojourners in Egypt for many years."
4. (As a proper noun): "Sojourner" is also a name, most famously associated with Sojourner Truth, a renowned abolitionist and women's rights activist.
Therefore, the meaning of "sojourner" depends on the context and can refer to someone temporarily residing in a place, someone who makes a journey, or someone who is a stranger or foreigner.