Aryan

[ air-ee-uh n, air-yuh n, ar- ]

/ ˈɛər i ən, ˈɛər yən, ˈær- /

noun

Ethnology. a member or descendant of the prehistoric people who spoke Indo-European.

(in Nazi doctrine) a non-Jewish Caucasian, especially of Nordic stock.

(formerly) Indo-European.

(formerly) Indo-Iranian.

adjective

of or relating to an Aryan or the Aryans.

(formerly) Indo-European.

(formerly) Indo-Iranian.

Also Arian.

Origin of Aryan

1785–95; < Sanskrit ārya of high rank (adj.), aristocrat (noun) + -an

OTHER WORDS FROM Aryan

non-Ar·y·an, noun, adjectivepre-Ar·y·an, adjectivepseu·do-Ar·y·an, adjective, noun

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

Examples from the Web for aryan

The region is marketed for visitors as “Aryan Valley,” and many citizens have taken to tacking on “Aryan” to their last names.
The Himalayas’ Hidden Aryans|Nina Strochlic|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
His work was more monumental, more violent, and promoted the Aryan struggle.
Top Nazis And Their Complicated Relationship With Artists|William O’Connor|November 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Her photograph was chosen as the image of the ideal Aryan baby, and distributed in party propaganda.
Nazis’ ‘Perfect Aryan’ Child Was Jewish|The Telegraph|July 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But my Bar Mitzvah rabbi survived the camps, camps he could have probably avoided because of his Aryan looks.
A Jewish Ex-Con Recalls Keeping Kosher with the Faithful in Prison|Daniel Genis|May 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Then another server came behind him carrying a pitcher of Aryan, a yogurt drink.
The Fourth War: My Lunch with a Jihadi|Elliot Ackerman|January 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
These two names (Aryan and Semite), then, signify today rather two groups of peoples than two distinct races.
History Of Ancient Civilization|Charles Seignobos
According to the Aryan epics this nation possessed cows, goats, sheep, and camels.
The History of Antiquity, Volume IV (of 6)|Max Duncker
The term Anuloma denotes straight and regular hair, which in India characterises the Aryan stock.
Castes and Tribes of Southern India|Edgar Thurston
Indian religion is a variety of Indo-Iranian, which is a variety of the Aryan type.
History of Religion|Allan Menzies
We should perhaps not be wrong if we were to call it a common possession of the whole Aryan family of mankind.
The Growth of the English Constitution|Edward A. Freeman

British Dictionary definitions for aryan

Aryan

Arian

/ (ˈɛərɪən) /

noun

(in Nazi ideology) a Caucasian of non-Jewish descent, esp of the Nordic type

a member of any of the peoples supposedly descended from the Indo-Europeans, esp a speaker of an Iranian or Indic language in ancient times

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of an Aryan or Aryans

adjective, noun

archaic Indo-European

Word Origin for Aryan

C19: from Sanskrit ārya of noble birth

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