baleboste

English

Alternative forms

• balabosta, balaboosta, balabusta, balabuste, balabusteh

Etymology

Borrowed from Yiddish בעל־הביתטע (baleboste), feminine form of בעל־הבית (balebos), from Hebrew בַּעַל הַבַּיִת (bá'al habáyit, “master of the house”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /bɑːləˈbʌstə/, /bɑːləˈbɒstə/, /bɑːləˈbɔstə/

Noun

baleboste (plural balebatim)

1. (Judaism) mistress of the house
2. (Judaism) ideal housewife, homemaker, hostess

Related terms

• Baal
• balebos

Further reading

• “balabosta”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.