Yiddish

Alternative forms

• באַלעבאָס ‎(balebos)
• בעל־בית ‎(balbos)

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