mahatma

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ma·hat·ma / məˈhätmə; -ˈhatmə/ • n. (in the Indian subcontinent) a person regarded with reverence or loving respect; a holy person or sage. ∎  (the Mahatma) Mahatma Gandhi. ∎  (in some forms of theosophy) a person in India or Tibet said to have supernatural powers.ORIGIN: from Sanskrit mahātman, from mahā ‘great’ + ātman ‘soul.’

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

Mahatma

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Mahatma (Sanskrit, ‘Great Soul’) Person of special holiness. The term is used by Hindus, but has no specific place in organized Hindu religion. The most famous ‘Mahatma’ of modern times was Mohandas K. Gandhi.

World Encyclopedia

mahatma

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mahatma in Buddhism, one possessing preternatural powers. XIX. — Skr. mahātman-, f. mahā- great + ātmán- soul.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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