amish
Proper noun 1. A member of a traditionalist Christian group: The Amish are a group of traditionalist Christian church fellowships with Swiss German Anabaptist origins. They are known for simple living, plain dress, and reluctance to adopt many conveniences of modern technology.
The word "Amish" is used to refer to the people, their communities, or their culture as a collective. It functions as a proper noun and is typically used with a definite article ("the") when referring to the group as a whole. * The Amish are known for their skilled craftsmanship. * We visited an Amish community in Pennsylvania. * Amish beliefs emphasize community and separation from the world.
- As an adjective: While primarily a noun, "Amish" is commonly used attributively to describe things related to the Amish people.
- We bought Amish furniture.
- She studies Amish history and culture.
- Amishman (n): A male member of the Amish (less common, often simply "Amish" is used).
- Amishwoman (n): A female member of the Amish (less common).
- Old Order Amish (n): A term specifying the most traditional and conservative subgroups within the Amish.
- Plain People: A broader term that can include other similar Anabaptist groups like the Mennonites.
- Anabaptists: Refers to the wider Christian movement from which the Amish originated, emphasizing adult baptism.
The term specifically denotes followers of the teachings of Jakob Ammann, a 17th-century Swiss Anabaptist leader. Their lifestyle is a central part of their religious practice, making the cultural and religious meanings inseparable. They are a distinct group from, though related to, the Mennonites.
- an American follower of the Mennonite religion