Meanings
nounleitzanus (uncountable)
- Judaismuncountableridicule, disrespectful mockery.
The uncorrected child who scorns, mocks and laughs at others is subconsciously being educated to become a perpetrator of leitzanus.
2002, Moshe Young, Apples from the Tree: Transmitting Torah Values to Our Children1 more example
Your problem is that you did _not_ ask a question on limudei kodesh, you made bad jokes and leitzanut. Don't be surprised if your answered in kind.
2006 July 3, mos...@mm.huji.ac.il, “SCJM Contest Shel Shavua: "OK, Rock, Gay Pishen!"”, in soc.culture.jewish.moderated (Usenet)
Origin
- Hebrewליצנות“clownery”
- Englishleitzanus
Borrowed from Hebrew ליצנות (“clownery”).
More words from Hebrew
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
APA
leitzanus. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/leitzanus
MLA
“leitzanus.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/leitzanus. Accessed November 3, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “leitzanus,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/leitzanus.
Source: leitzanus on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.