mahatma
[muh-haht-muh, -hat-]
- a Brahman sage.
- (especially in India) a person who is held in the highest esteem for wisdom and saintliness.
- (in Theosophy) a great sage who has renounced further spiritual development in order to aid those who are less advanced.
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Origin of mahatma
1850–55; < Sanskrit mahātmā, nominative singular of mahātman high-souled, magnanimous, equivalent to mahā- great + ātman atman
Gandhi
[gahn-dee, gan-]
- In·di·ra [in-deer-uh] /ɪnˈdɪər ə/, 1917–84, Indian political leader: prime minister 1966–77 and 1980–84 (daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru).
- Mo·han·das Kar·am·chand [moh-huh n-dahs kuhr-uh m-chuhnd] /ˌmoʊ hənˈdɑs ˌkʌr əmˈtʃʌnd/, Mahatma, 1869–1948, Hindu religious leader, nationalist, and social reformer.
- Ra·jiv [rah-jeev] /rɑˈdʒiv/, 1944–91, Indian political leader: prime minister 1984–89 (son of Indira).
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
someonefigureluminarypersonageherostarpersonalitysuperstarintellectualteacherpunditguruphilosophersavantmastermentorguideintellectthinkermahatmaExamples from the Web for mahatma
Contemporary Examples
He visited the White House and advised Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi.
The Nobel committee said he was continuing in the noble tradition of Mahatma Gandhi.
South Africa, not India, was the crucible in which the Mahatma was forged.
First film recording of Mahatma Gandhi, 1931, is now available on YouTube.
If Mahatma Gandhi returned and was democratically elected as president of the Palestinian Authority, it would not matter.
Historical Examples
But not many people have met a Mahatma, at least to their knowledge.
The Mahatma and the HareH. Rider Haggard
For aught I know Jorsen may be a Mahatma, but he does not in the least look the part.
The Mahatma and the HareH. Rider Haggard
But whether he is what is called a Mahatma I am sure I do not know.
The Mahatma and the HareH. Rider Haggard
It is only poor things such as you and I, Mahatma, which must suffer.
The Mahatma and the HareH. Rider Haggard
Now, Mahatma, you will understand what a bloodthirsty brute he is.
The Mahatma and the HareH. Rider Haggard
mahatma
- Hinduism a Brahman sage
- theosophy an adept or sage
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Word Origin
C19: from Sanskrit mahātman, from mahā great + ātman soul
Gandhi
- Indira (Priyadarshini) (ɪnˈdɪərə, ˈɪndərə), daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru. 1917–84, Indian stateswoman; prime minister of India (1966–77; 1980–84); assassinated
- Mohandas Karamchand (ˌməʊhənˈdʌs ˌkʌrəmˈtʃʌnd), known as Mahatma Gandhi. 1869–1948, Indian political and spiritual leader and social reformer. He played a major part in India's struggle for home rule and was frequently imprisoned by the British for organizing acts of civil disobedience. He advocated passive resistance and hunger strikes as means of achieving reform, campaigned for the untouchables, and attempted to unite Muslims and Hindus. He was assassinated by a Hindu extremist
- Rajiv (ræˈdʒiːv), son of Indira Gandhi. 1944–91, Indian statesman; prime minister of India (1984–89); assassinated
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for mahatma
n.
1884, literally "great-souled," from Sanskrit mahatman, from maha "great," from PIE root *meg- "great" (see magnate) + atman, "soul, principle of life," properly "breath" (see atman). In esoteric Buddhism, "a person of supernatural powers." In common use, as a title, a mark of love and respect. Said to have been applied to Gandhi (1869-1948) in 1915 by poet Rabrindranath Tagore.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper