ahimsa
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of ahimsa
First recorded in 1830–35; from Sanskrit ahiṁsā “noninjury,” equivalent to a- privative suffix (cognate with Greek a- ) + hiṁsā injury, derivative of hánti “(he) slays,” Greek phónos “murder”; see origin at a- 6
Explanation
Ahimsa is an ancient spiritual concept that began in India and centers around avoiding all forms of violence and respecting all living things. The principle of ahimsa first appeared in the 4,000-year-old Indian spiritual and philosophical beliefs known as the Vedas. Many religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism have since adopted ahimsa as part of their core virtues. In Sanskrit, the word means "without injury," and it's commonly translated in English as "nonviolence." Ahimsa involves doing the least amount of harm you can to humans and other beings.
Vocabulary lists containing ahimsa
World Religions
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2015 Spelling Bee - Words from Round 3
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Early Civilizations of India, Lessons 1–4
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Lawson and Lal often discussed Gandhi’s conception of ahimsa, the Sanskrit word for nonviolence.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 15, 2024
The draft resolution of the Working Committee is based on ahimsa; the contemplated struggle similarly has its roots in ahimsa.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 15, 2022
God has vouchsafed to me a priceless gift in the weapon of ahimsa.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 15, 2022
The idea of ahimsa informs animal ethics, just-war theory, and interpersonal relations.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 15, 2022
Undoubtedly the widespread Hindu acceptance of the principle of ahimsa, or non-killing, even in the case of animals, prepared the way for Gandhi more completely than would have been the case in western society.
From Introduction to Non-Violence by Paullin, Theodore
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
