Etymology From French mentor, from Ancient Greek Μέντωρ (Méntōr, “Mentor”), a mythological character in the Odyssey, whose name, a historical name from Ancient Greece, shares the same root as English mind. Cognate to Sanskrit मन्तृ (mantṛ, “advisor, counselor”) and Latin monitor (“one who admonishes”), and perhaps ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *monéyeti (compare Latin moneō (“to warn”), causative form of *men- (“to think”).
1
A wise and trusted counselor or teacher.
Many mentors claim that they would work with the vocationers for free because of the sense of satisfaction the interaction provides.2006, Lisa Johnson, Mind Your X's and Y's:
I thought he was supposed to be my mentor. But, in actuality, what did I know about the often beguiling world of adults?2009, Reif Larsen, The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet, Pinguin Books, page 26:
Etymology From French mentor, from Ancient Greek Μέντωρ (Méntōr, “Mentor”), a mythological character in the Odyssey, whose name, a historical name from Ancient Greece, shares the same root as English mind. Cognate to Sanskrit मन्तृ (mantṛ, “advisor, counselor”) and Latin monitor (“one who admonishes”), and perhaps ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *monéyeti (compare Latin moneō (“to warn”), causative form of *men- (“to think”).
1
To act as someone's mentor.
After him came several deshi, or followers he had mentored.2008 September 8, Richard Halloran, “Japan’s rapid succession of prime ministers belies its global role”, in Taipei Times, Taipai, page 9:
I want to get people motivated about mentoring students, to help them get excited about staying in school, finding their passion, and starting a career.2016 September 16, Soledad O'Brien, “Soledad O'Brien: We Should Rethink What Mentoring Means”, in Time: