definitions
  • synonyms

jiva

[ jee-vuh ]
/ ˈdʒi və /

noun

Hinduism. the individual soul, regarded as a particular manifestation of Atman.
Jainism.
  1. the individual soul or life monad, compared to a transparent crystal stained by karmic matter with colors, or lesyas, of varying hues.
  2. all such monads collectively, regarded as the animating principle of the universe.
Also called ji·vat·ma [jee-vaht-muh] /dʒiˈvɑt mə/.

Nearby words

jitterbug, jitters, jittery, jiujitsu, jiulong, jiva, jivaro, jivatma, jive, jivey, jivy

Origin of jiva

1800–10; < Sanskrit: literally, living
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019