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man

indefinite pronoun; nominative or accusative

1. one; you (general)
2. people; they (impersonal)
3. used to avoid naming the subject

Etymology. From Middle High German man, from Old High German man, cognate with English "man" but here retaining its older indefinite sense (like French "on", Latin "homo"). Originally meant "human being" generically, then specialized to indefinite subject.

Dictionary entry by Claude.

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