mensch

Definition

A person (chiefly male) of strength, integrity, and honor or compassion; a gentleman.

Etymology

From Yiddish מענטש (mentsh, “an honorable person”), from Middle High German mensch, mensche, mennische, from Old High German mennisko (“man, human being”), from Proto-Germanic *manniskaz (“human”). The spelling mensch was influenced by German Mensch; compare the alternative spellings. Doublet of mennish; compare also mense. For the semantics, compare Latin humanē (“kindly, courteously”), English humane.

Example Sentences

• "[…]Scott Nearing was a grand old man a real mensch[…]"
• "Doctor Dreyfuss [to C. C. Baxter]: Be a mensch!"
• "Lionel Kessler, relaxing perhaps on a Louis Quinze day bed, garlanded all round with lines of beauty, seeing welcome proof that his clever maligned young friend was a mensch."