mensch

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“
But over time, and especially during my twenties, I found the instruction to be a mensch was not always a self-executing concept; I wish I had Bubbie closer to ask her guidance.

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Definitions (2)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. noun Informal A person having admirable characteristics, such as fortitude and firmness of purpose: "He radiates the kind of fundamental decency that has a name in Yiddish; he's a mensch” (James Atlas).

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Examples (50)

  • (Besides the obvious satisfaction of being a mensch, or at least getting Sadie from Hadassah off your back for another year.)
  • The bus driver who returns a lost briefcase is a mensch, as is the rich man who gives his money to charity, as is the child who stands up to the schoolyard bully. —  The Word Detective
  • His Uber-mensch arrogance shriveled as he stared gape-jawed at the passing Mercedes. —  The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove
  • The mensch were shouting, clasping their arms around each other. —  Death Gate Cycle 2 - Elven Star
  • The Patryn thought back to the crude homes of the mensch, made of wood, perched in trees. —  Death Gate Cycle 2 - Elven Star
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Etymologies (1)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Yiddish, human being, mensch, from Middle High German, human being, from Old High German mennisco; see man-1 in Indo-European roots.
 

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