Brahman

¹

[brah-muhn]

noun

Hinduism.

plural

Brahmans 

1. Also a member of the highest, or priestly, class among the Hindus.

2. Also the impersonal supreme being, the primal source and ultimate goal of all beings, with which Atman, when enlightened, knows itself to be identical.

Brahman

²

[brey-muhn, brah-]

noun

1. any of several breeds of Indian cattle, especially a grayish, heat-resistant American breed raised chiefly in the Gulf States.

Brahman

/ brɑːˈmænɪk, ˈbrɑːmən /

noun

1. Also called (esp formerly): Brahmin. (sometimes not capital) a member of the highest or priestly caste in the Hindu caste system

2. Hinduism the ultimate and impersonal divine reality of the universe, from which all being originates and to which it returns

3. another name for Brahma 1

Other Word Forms

• Brahmanic adjective
• Brahmanical adjective
• non-Brahmanic adjective
• non-Brahmanical adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Brahman¹

First recorded in 1475–85; from Sanskrit brāhmaṇa Brahman ¹ ( for def. 1 ), brahman Brahman ¹ ( for def. 2 )

Origin of Brahman²

1935–40; special use of Brahman priest

Word History and Origins

Origin of Brahman¹

C14: from Sanskrit brāhmana , from brahman prayer

Example Sentences

“I don’t know what happened to the 40 sheep, pigs and Brahman bull,” Deach said.

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A couple of Brahman cows stand in a field before it cuts to the Texas town’s historic downtown.

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The supreme being from whom the universe emerged, Brahman, appears in the ancient sacred writings known as the Vedas without gender.

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At Waterloo and elsewhere, Brahman herds are growing and being readied for the journey north.

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Brahmans can better withstand the sun and are less susceptible to parasites than Angus, originally from Scotland and built with sturdy, low set black bodies made to survive harsh winters.

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