be mevater

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Pronunciations

be mevater (mi-VAH-tehr) listen

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Definitions

  • v. To nullify one's own desires for the good of others.

Example Sentences

  • "She has learned to be m’vater, so if her guests want to play house she will agree to be the baby some of the time." (source)

  • "Suri, you should try to be mevater and let Rivki use your toys for a few minutes."

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Languages of Origin

  • Textual Hebrew
  • Yiddish
  • English

Etymology

  • partial English calque of Y מװתּר זײַן mevater zayn, lit. 'to renounce, abandon, waive, relinquish'

      • Who Uses This

      • Orthodox: Jews who identify as Orthodox and observe halacha (Jewish law)

      Regions

      • North America
      • South Africa

      Dictionaries

      • None

      Alternative Spellings

      be m'vater

Notes

  • Often used in discussions of parenting.

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