mentor English · revision 182
5 Oct 2026, 22:13 by bogdan “Add pronunciation, sense history, timeline, meanings, word family, related words” current version
Changes in this edit
@@ -1,6 +1,36 @@
+ ==Pronunciation==
+ * IPA: /ˈmɛn.tɔː/, /ˈmɛn.toə/ ''(UK)''; /ˈmɛn.toɹ/, /ˈmɛn.tɚ/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)
+
==Etymology==
− First recorded in 1750,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) or 1616 according to Merriam-Webster.^(MW Collegiate) It is [[bor|fr|mentor]], an appellative use of the name of [[grc|Μέντωρ|tr=Méntōr]],^(OED 1989)^(Wiktionary) the friend of Odysseus and adviser of Telemachus in the ''Odyssey''.^(Etymonline)^(Wiktionary) The general use probably comes through later popular romances, in which Mentor plays a larger part than in Homer.^(Etymonline)
+ It is [[bor|fr|mentor]], an appellative use of the name of [[grc|Μέντωρ|tr=Méntōr]],^(OED 1989)^(Wiktionary) the friend of Odysseus and adviser of Telemachus in the ''Odyssey''.^(Etymonline)^(Wiktionary) The name has the form of an agent noun from the root ''*men-'' “to think”, and may have been chosen as meaning “adviser”;^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)^(AHD) compare Latin ''monitor''.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)
− The name has the form of an agent noun from the root ''*men-'' “to think”, and may have been chosen as meaning “adviser”;^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) compare Latin ''monitor''.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ An experienced and trusted counsellor (1750);^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)^(AHD) Merriam-Webster dates the word to 1616.^(MW Collegiate)
+
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ In the ''Odyssey'' the goddess Athena, disguised as Mentor, guides Telemachus in his search for his father.^(AHD)^(OED 1989) Fénelon gave Mentor a prominent role in his romance ''Télémaque'' (1699),^(AHD) and the name became a common noun meaning “wise counsellor” in French (1749) and English (1750).^(AHD) It was often capitalized, even in the general sense, until the mid-19th century.^(Etymonline) The verb “to serve as a mentor to” dates from 1888 according to Etymonline, or 1976 according to Merriam-Webster,^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) and has become common in professional settings.^(AHD)
+
+ ==Timeline==
+ * 1616 – Merriam-Webster's date.^(MW Collegiate)
+ * 1699 – Fénelon's ''Télémaque''.^(AHD)
+ * 1749 – French ''mentor'', “wise counsellor”.^(AHD)
+ * 1750 – English ''mentor''.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)
+ * 1823 – applied to things.^(OED 1989)
+ * 1888 – verb, “to serve as a mentor to”.^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Modern meaning==
+ ===Noun===
+ # A wise and trusted counsellor or teacher, especially of someone younger or less experienced.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)
+ # An influential senior sponsor or supporter.^(RHWU)
+
+ ===Verb===
+ # To act as a mentor to someone.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Word family==
+ * [[mentorship]]
+ * [[mentee]]
+
+ ==Related words==
+ * [[monitor]]
==References==