Brahmin

[brah-min]

See more synonyms for Brahmin on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural Brah·min, Brah·mins.

Hinduism. Brahman¹(def 1).
(especially in New England) a person usually from an old, respected family who, because of wealth and social position, wields considerable social, economic, and political power.
a person who is intellectually or socially aloof.

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of a Brahmin: the Brahmin attitudes of a true aristocrat.

Origin of Brahmin

First recorded in 1475–85; variant of Brahman¹

Related formsBrah·min·ic

[brah-min-ik] /brɑˈmɪn ɪk/, Brah·min·i·cal, adjectivenon-Brah·min·ic, adjectivenon-Brah·min·i·cal, adjectiveun-Brah·min·i·cal, adjective

Can be confusedBrahman Brahmin

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for brahmins

debutante, patrician, noble, deb, Brahmin, gentleperson

Examples from the Web for brahmins

Contemporary Examples of brahmins

First the Brahmins held on tightly to power, and then the Irish Catholics fought their way in.
Why Women Don't Win Massachusetts
Linda Killian
October 15, 2011
Once a refuge for Brahmins looking to blow off steam, today the group is known for its campy puns and campier costumes.
Jay Leno Wins Hasty Pudding Man of the Year Award
Samuel P. Jacobs
February 4, 2011
Yet this time, a large number of victims belong to the swish set; the blasts have jolted these "Brahmins."
India Has Been Singed Badly
Raghu Mohan
November 30, 2008

Historical Examples of brahmins

The followers of Buddha and the Brahmins were in direct conflict.
The Story of the Great War, Volume III (of VIII)
Various
Among Mohammedans and Brahmins we can still see them in their full vigor.
An Ethnologist's View of History
Daniel G. Brinton
The two highest castes were the Brahmins (or priests) and the warriors.
From Pole to Pole
Sven Anders Hedin
This was the united dictum of the Brahmins and astrologers of the day.
The Round Towers of Ireland
Henry O'Brien
Christians, Mohammedans, and Brahmins, all hold them in equal veneration.
rminius Vambry, his life and adventures
rminius Vambry

British Dictionary definitions for brahmins

Brahmin

noun plural -min or -mins

the older spelling of Brahman (def. 1)
(in the US) a highly intelligent or socially exclusive person, esp a member of one of the older New England families
an intellectual or social snob

Derived FormsBrahminic or Brahminical, adjective

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 brahmins

brahmin

"member of Boston's upper class," 1823, figurative use of Brahman "member of the highest priestly Hindu caste," late 15c., from Sanskrit brahmana-s, from brahman- "prayer," also "the universal soul, the Absolute," of uncertain origin. Related to Brahma.

brahmins in Culture

Brahmins

[(brah-minz)]

The highest of the four major castes of Hinduism. Brahmins are followers of Brahma and were originally all priests.

Note

The name is often given to socially or culturally privileged classes, such as “Boston Brahmins.”