בעל־הבית
Yiddish
Alternative forms
Etymology
From (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Hebrew בַּעַל הַבַּיִת (bá'al habáyit, “master of the house”). Cognate with Ladino balabay (“master of the house”).
Pronunciation
Noun
בעל־הבית • (balebos) m, plural בעלי־בתּים (balebatem) or בעלי־הבתּים (balebatem), feminine בעל־הביתטע (baleboste)
- master of the house, head of the household, host
- house owner, homeowner
- (by extension) boss, person in charge (of anything)
- important man, bourgeoisie
- layman, congregant, non-clergy
Usage notes
This word is often spelt phonetically.