Burschenschaft

[ boor-shuhn-shahft ]

noun

, German.

, plural Bur·schen·schaf·ten [boor, -sh, uh, n-shahf-t, uh, n].

1. any of certain associations of students formed to promote patriotism, Christian conduct, and liberal ideas but now primarily social fraternities.

Burschenschaft

/ ˈbʊrʃənʃaft /

noun

1. a students' fraternity, originally one concerned with Christian ideals, patriotism, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of Burschenschaft¹

literally: youth association

Example Sentences

In politics he was a strong Liberal and Unionist, and did much to inspire the organization of the Burschenschaft.

From Project Gutenberg

For many years I have waited in vain for the words of those bold orators, who once in the meetings of the German Burschenschaft so often claimed a hearing, who so often overwhelmed me with their rhetorical talent, and spoke a language spoken so oft before; they were then so forward in noise—they are now so backward in silence.

From Project Gutenberg

Already at the universities he had proclaimed his Liberal sympathies as a member of the Burschenschaft, and he now threw himself into open opposition to the unconstitutional spirit of the Hessian government, an attitude which led to his dismissal from the state service in 1833.

From Project Gutenberg

Hereupon must he sign what is called the reverse; that is, an attached form of declaration, binding himself to take no part in any prohibited verbindung, or union, or in any designs of a demagogue burschenschaft, but to conform himself to the academical laws.

From Project Gutenberg

But unfortunately, as in all times of high excitement, spirits of a reckless and darker character mingled themselves with the nobler ones of liberty: for the realization of their intrinsically criminal wishes, criminal means also were necessary, and the spirit of youth was thus unconsciously conducted by fanaticism into unhallowed and bloodthirsty principles, and in the bosom of the Burschenschaft union, formed itself a closer union of The Unrestricted, whose name revealed sufficiently, that they would hesitate at no means by which they might arrive at their object.

From Project Gutenberg