mentor

Definition

A wise and trusted counselor or teacher.

Etymology

From French mentor, from Ancient Greek Μέντωρ (Méntōr, “Mentor”), a mythological character in the Odyssey, whose name, a historical name from Ancient Greece, shares the same root as English mind. Cognate to Sanskrit मन्तृ (mantṛ, “advisor, counselor”) and Latin monitor (“one who admonishes”), and perhaps ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *monéyeti (compare Latin moneō (“to warn”), causative form of *men- (“to think”).

Example Sentences

• "Many mentors claim that they would work with the vocationers for free because of the sense of satisfaction the interaction provides."
• "I thought he was supposed to be my mentor. But, in actuality, what did I know about the often beguiling world of adults?"