Prakrit

[ prah-krit, -kreet ]

/ ˈprɑ krɪt, -krit /

Save This Word!

noun

any of the vernacular Indic languages of the ancient and medieval periods, as distinguished from Sanskrit.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of Prakrit

1780–90; <Sanskrit prākṛta, derivative of prakṛti;see prakriti

OTHER WORDS FROM Prakrit

Pra·krit·ic, adjective

Words nearby Prakrit

praiseworthy, Prajadhipok, Prajapati, prajna, Prajnā-Paramita, Prakrit, prakriti, praline, pralltriller, pram, pramipexole

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Prakrit in a sentence

According to them, Prakrit is the only sacred language, and is used in their sacred literature, as well as in Ceylon.
From the Caves and Jungles of Hindostan|Helena Pretrovna Blavatsky
The only original Prakrit tenses which have survived in Marathi are the present and the imperative.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 17, Slice 6|Various
From this point of view every vernacular of India, from the earliest times, is a Prakrit.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 14, Slice 4|Various
We have seen that the word “Prakrit” means “natural” or “vernacular,” as opposed to the “purified” literary Sanskrit.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 14, Slice 4|Various

A still later and more abraded stage is also discussed under the head of Prakrit.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 14, Slice 4|Various

British Dictionary definitions for Prakrit

Prakrit

/ (ˈprɑːkrɪt) /

noun

any of the vernacular Indic languages as distinguished from Sanskrit: spoken from about 300 bc to the Middle AgesSee also Pali

Derived forms of Prakrit

Prakritic, adjective

Word Origin for Prakrit

C18: from Sanskrit prāktra original, from pra- before + kr to do, make + -ta indicating a participle

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