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Jainism

[jahy-niz-uh m]
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noun
  1. a dualistic religion founded in the 6th century b.c. as a revolt against current Hinduism and emphasizing the perfectibility of human nature and liberation of the soul, especially through asceticism and nonviolence toward all living creatures.
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Origin of Jainism

First recorded in 1855–60; Jain + -ism
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for jainism

Historical Examples

  • But it must be remembered that even in Jainism Buddha is only a memory.

    A Tour of the Missions

    Augustus Hopkins Strong

  • Jainism had a distinguished but chequered career in the south.

  • The beauty of Jainism finds its best expression in architecture.

  • It is a celebrated stronghold of Jainism, and here is another most splendid temple.

    A Tour of the Missions

    Augustus Hopkins Strong

  • Jainism, like every other heathen system, is an effort to earn salvation by labors and sacrifices of one's own.

    A Tour of the Missions

    Augustus Hopkins Strong

British Dictionary definitions for jainism

Jainism

noun
  1. an ancient Hindu religion, which has its own scriptures and believes that the material world is eternal, progressing endlessly in a series of vast cycles
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Derived FormsJainist, noun, 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 jainism

Jainism

n.

1858, from Jain + -ism. Jainist is attested from 1816.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper