מעשׂה

See also: מעשה

Yiddish

Alternative forms

• מײַסע (mayse) — Soviet phonetic spelling

Etymology

From Hebrew מַעֲשֶׂה (ma‘asé), with retention of an archaic velar nasal ayin in some pronunciations, assimilated to the following [s] sound. The more common plural form מעשׂיות (mayses/manses) is borrowed from the plural of Hebrew מעשייה / מַעֲשִׂיָּה (ma‘asiyá).

Pronunciation

• (YIVO, Northern) IPA^(key): /ˈmaɪ̯sə/
• (Southern) IPA^(key): /ˈmaːsə/, /ˈmansə/

Noun

מעשׂה • (mayse/manse) m or f, plural מעשׂיות (mayses/manses) or מעשׂים (maysem/mansem)

1. story, tale, narrative
2. deed, action, act

Usage notes

As per Comprehensive Yiddish-English Dictionary by Solon Beinfeld and Harry Bochner, feminine is more "standard", but some masculine usages occur.

The plural מעשׂים (maysem/mansem) is more commonly used with the meaning of "deeds".

Derived terms

• באָבע־מעשׂה (bobe-mayse)

Adverb

מעשׂה • (mayse/manse)

1. in the manner of
   • 1967, Chaim Grade, צמח אַטלאַס [Tsemekh Atlas], page 16:

     צמחס בעל־אַכסניא האָט מעשׂה אַלטער באַקאַנטער אים אַרײַנגעשושקעט אין אויער...

     tsemekhs bal-akhsanye hot mayse alter bakanter im arayngeshushket in oyer...

     Tsemakh's innkeeper whispered to him in his ears in the manner of an old friend...