Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

Brahmanism

American  
[brah-muh-niz-uhm] / ˈbrɑ məˌnɪz əm /
Or Brahminism

noun

  1. the religious and social system of the Brahmans and orthodox Hindus, characterized by the caste system and diversified pantheism.

  2. the Hinduism of the Vedas, Brahmanas, and Upanishads.


Brahmanism British  
/ ˈbrɑːməˌnɪzəm /

noun

  1. the religious and social system of orthodox Hinduism, characterized by diversified pantheism, the caste system, and the sacrifices and family ceremonies of Hindu tradition

  2. the form of Hinduism prescribed in the Vedas, Brahmanas, and Upanishads

"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

Other Word Forms

  • Brahmanist noun

Etymology

Origin of Brahmanism

First recorded in 1810–20; Brahman 1 + -ism

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.

Buddhism is a wide departure in doctrine and practice from Brahmanism, and hence after a swift unfolding and quick spread it was driven out of India and had to find a home in other lands.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus, so far from sectarianism being a mere modern development of Brahmanism, it actually goes back to beyond the formulation of the Brahmanical creed.

From Project Gutenberg

To return to India, the hospitals of Asoka were swept away by a revival of Brahmanism, and a practical hiatus exists between the hospitals he introduced and those that were refounded by the British ascendancy.

From Project Gutenberg

Hindu, Hindoo, hin′dōō, n. a native of Hindustan: now more properly applied to native Indian believers in Brahmanism, as opposed to Mohammedans, &c.—ns.

From Project Gutenberg

One of the most important events in the history of the Javanese was their conversion to Brahmanism, and still 194later to Mahometanism.

From Project Gutenberg