בעל־הבית

Yiddish

Alternative forms

• באַלעבאָס (balebos)
• בעל־בית (bal-bos)

Etymology

From Hebrew בַּעַל הַבַּיִת (bá'al habáyit, “master of the house”). Cognate with Ladino balabay (“master of the house”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /baɫəˈbɔs/

Noun

בעל־הבית • (balebos) m, plural בעלי־בתּים (balebatem) or בעלי־הבתּים (balebatem), feminine בעל־הביתטע (baleboste)

1. master of the house, head of the household, host
2. house owner, homeowner
3. (by extension) boss, person in charge (of anything)
4. important man, bourgeoisie
5. layman, congregant, non-clergy

Usage notes

This word is often spelt phonetically.

Descendants

• Dutch: bollebof, bolleboos
• English: balebos