ENGLISH
REFERENCE

amish

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈɑmɪʃ// amish

adj. relating to a traditional Christian group in North America that lives a simple life. They usually avoid modern technology like cars and electricity.

adj. relating to a traditionalist Christian group known for simple living, plain dress, and the rejection of many modern technologies. Often used attributively to describe the community, their customs, or their products.


SIMPLE

The Amish community lives a very simple life.

CONTEXTUAL

Many tourists visit the area to buy handmade Amish furniture and traditional baked goods.

COMPLEX

The Amish lifestyle is characterized by a commitment to pacifism and a deliberate separation from the modern world to maintain religious and communal integrity.

Origin

From Pennsylvania German Amisch or German Amische, after the name of the Swiss preacher Jakob Amman (1645-1730). The surname is a contraction of Old High German ambahtman.

Usage

Typically used as an adjective before a noun; when used as a collective noun, it takes a plural verb ('the Amish are').

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