ˈlu̇ftˌmench noun
( plural luftmensch·en -chən)
Etymology: Yiddish luftmentsh, from luft air (from Middle High German, from Old High German) + mentsh person, human being, from Middle High German mensch, mensche, from Old High German mennisco; akin to Old Frisian männska person, human being, Middle Dutch mensche, Old Saxon mennisco; all from a prehistoric West Germanic noun derived from the adjective represented by Old English mennisc human, Old Norse mennskr, Gothic mannisks; all from a prehistoric Germanic compound whose first constituent is represented by Old English man, mann man and whose second constituent is represented by Old English -isc -ish — more at loft , man
: an impractical contemplative person having no definite trade, business, or income : dreamer
the luftmensch who personifies the quixotic, speculative principle in Jewish life — Irving Howe