kibbutz
UK[kɪˈbʊts]US[kɪˈbʊts]
n
a collective community in israel, traditionally based on agriculture, but now also on industry and other enterprises, owned and managed communally by its members.
Etymology
the word 'kibbutz' is a direct borrowing from modern hebrew, where it means "gathering" or "collective." it is derived from the hebrew root q-b-ts, which carries the core meaning of "to gather, assemble, or collect." this etymological sense perfectly captures the essence of the social and economic structure it describes: a community gathered together for collective living and labor. the term entered english in the early 20th century alongside the establishment of the first kibbutzim in palestine, reflecting the international interest in this unique israeli socialist experiment.
Analysis
this word is a loanword from modern hebrew, adopted as a single, unsegmentable unit into english.
Examples
after graduating, she spent a year volunteering on a kibbutz near the sea of galilee.
the kibbutz has diversified its economy from farming to include a high-tech factory.
decisions in the traditional kibbutz were made democratically in weekly meetings.