ahimsa

[ uh-him-sah, uh-hing- ]

/ əˈhɪm sɑ, əˈhɪŋ- /

noun Hinduism.

the principle of noninjury to living beings.

Nearby words

Origin of ahimsa

1870–75; < Sanskrit, equivalent to a- not, without (cognate with a-⁶) + hiṁsā injury, akin to hánti (he) slays, Greek phónos murder

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for ahimsa

By birth I am a Vaishnavite, and was taught Ahimsa in my childhood.
Third class in Indian railways|Mahatma Gandhi
The Wardha mosquitoes don't know a thing about ahimsa, 44-6 Swamiji!
Autobiography of a YOGI|Paramhansa Yogananda
It is firmly based on the Hindu idea of ahimsa, and hence avoids physical violence.
Introduction to Non-Violence|Theodore Paullin
Generally speaking, we may observe that many Hindus partake of meat and are not, therefore, followers of Ahimsa.
Indian Home Rule|M. K. Gandhi

In its positive form, Ahimsa means the largest love, the greatest charity.
Third class in Indian railways|Mahatma Gandhi

British Dictionary definitions for ahimsa

ahimsa

/ (ɑːˈhɪmsɑː) /

noun

(in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jainist philosophy) the law of reverence for, and nonviolence to, every form of life

Word Origin for ahimsa

Sanskrit, from a- 1 + himsā injury

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for ahimsa

ahimsa

1875, from Sanskrit ahimsa, from a "without" + himsa "injury."