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Brahmin
Brahmin (Brahman) Priestly caste that was the highest-ranking of the four varnas (social classes) in India during the late Vedic period, the era of Brahmanism. The term also denotes a member of that caste. Brahmin were believed to be ritually purer than other castes, and they alone could perform certain spiritual and ritual duties. The recitation of the Vedas was their preserve, and for hundreds of years they were the only caste to receive an education and so controlled Indian scholarship. With the later development of Hinduism as a popular religion, their priestly influence declined, but their secular influence grew, and their social supremacy and privileged status have changed little over the centuries. Brahmins maintain ritual cleanliness through strict dietary laws and tightly regulated contact with other castes.
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"Brahmin." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Brahmin." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Brahmin.html "Brahmin." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Brahmin.html |
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Brahmin
Brah·min / ˈbrämin/ • n. 1. variant spelling of Brahman. 2. a socially or culturally superior person, esp. a member of the upper classes from New England. DERIVATIVES: Brah·min·i·cal / bräˈminikəl/ adj. (in sense 1). |
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"Brahmin." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Brahmin." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-brahmin.html "Brahmin." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-brahmin.html |
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Brahmin
Brahmin member of the priestly or learned caste of Hindus. XIV (bragman; cf. AL. Bragmannus XIII). Early forms reflect mainly late L. pl. Brachmānæ, -māni, -mānes, corr. to Gr. Brakhmânes — Skr. brāhmaná- one of the caste, f. brahmán- priest.
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T. F. HOAD. "Brahmin." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "Brahmin." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-Brahmin.html T. F. HOAD. "Brahmin." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-Brahmin.html |
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Brahmin
Brahmin a socially or culturally superior person, especially one from New England, and in particular Boston. The term comes from a variant spelling of Brahman.
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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Brahmin." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Brahmin." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Brahmin.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Brahmin." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Brahmin.html |
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Brahmin
Brahmin see Brahman . |
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"Brahmin." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Brahmin." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-Brahmin.html "Brahmin." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-Brahmin.html |
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Brahmin
Brahmin: see BRAHMAN.
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JOHN BOWKER. "Brahmin." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN BOWKER. "Brahmin." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Brahmin.html JOHN BOWKER. "Brahmin." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Brahmin.html |
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Brahmin
Brahmin
•examine, famine, gamin
•admin • jasmine • Yasmin • Brahmin
•women • specimen • madwomen
•clanswomen • charwomen
•craftswomen • draughtswomen
•gentlewomen • Welshwomen
•Frenchwomen
•airwomen, chairwomen
•laywomen • stateswomen
•saleswomen • policewomen
•kinswomen • Englishwomen
•businesswomen • Irishwomen
•congresswomen • countrywomen
•jurywomen • servicewomen
•tribeswomen
•Scotswomen, yachtswomen
•forewomen • horsewomen
•sportswomen • oarswomen
•councilwomen • townswomen
•noblewomen • spokeswomen
•frontierswomen • alderwomen
•anchorwomen • washerwomen
•Ulsterwomen • churchwomen
•catechumen, illumine, lumen
•bitumen
•albumen, albumin
•Duralumin • cumin • Benjamin
•theremin • vitamin
•determine, ermine, vermin
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"Brahmin." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Brahmin." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-Brahmin.html "Brahmin." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-Brahmin.html |
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