haoma

American  

[hou-muh] / ˈhaʊ mə /

noun

1. a leafless vine, Sarcostemma acidum, of eastern India, yielding a sour, milky juice.

2. Zoroastrianism. Also

   1. a sacramental drink prepared with the juice of the haoma plant, milk, and water.

   2. (initial capital letter) a god personifying this sacred drink.

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Etymology

Origin of haoma

1885–90; < Avestan; cognate with soma ²

Example Sentences

This deified being, a personification of the consecrated drink, is supposed to have appeared before the prophet himself, and to have described to him the blessings which the haoma bestows upon its pious worshiper.

From Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 3 by Mabie, Hamilton Wright

Hillebrandt has failed to show that the Iranian haoma is the moon, so that as a starting-point there still is plant and drink-worship, not moon-worship.

From The Religions of India Handbooks on the History of Religions, Volume 1, Edited by Morris Jastrow by Hopkins, Edward Washburn

For the magic draught of the fairy-story appears to be closely connected with the Greek ambrosia, the Vedic soma or amrita, the Zend haoma.

From Russian Fairy Tales A Choice Collection of Muscovite Folk-lore by Ralston, William Ralston Shedden