word
Greek
Mentor
An experienced advisor to a less experienced person.
Origin
Mentor is a character in the Odyssey โ the old friend Odysseus leaves in charge of his son Telemachus. The goddess Athena takes Mentor's form to advise the boy. The proper noun became a common noun in the 18th century.
Modern usage
Universal โ in education, careers, sports, and fiction. Most people who use it don't know it's a character name.
Tags
guidance
wisdom