Sanskrit

or San·scrit

[ san-skrit ]

/ ˈsæn skrɪt /

noun

an Indo-European, Indic language, in use since c1200 b.c. as the religious and classical literary language of India. Abbreviation: Skt

adjective

Also San·skrit·ic, San·scrit·ic. of or relating to Sanskrit.

Origin of Sanskrit

First recorded in 1610–20, Sanskrit is from the Sanskrit word saṃskṛta adorned, perfected

Related formsSan·skrit·ist, San·scrit·ist, nounnon-San·skrit·ic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for sanskrit

I remember reading about how you and your wife had a message in Sanskrit inside your wedding bands.
Hugh Jackman on ‘Prisoners,’ the Oscars, ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past,’ and More|Marlow Stern|September 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
After a successful run at film festivals, a film based on a Sanskrit epic suddenly sparks turmoil in New York.
Animated Film Roils Hindus in Queens|Salil Tripathi|July 24, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The Sanskrit noun avatāra is derived from a verbal root that means "to cross over," just as Jake does in his journey.
The Tantric Sex in Avatar|Asra Q. Nomani|March 4, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Tra comes from a Sanskrit word trayate that means "to liberate."
The Tantric Sex in Avatar|Asra Q. Nomani|March 4, 2010|DAILY BEAST

"I've labored all my life in the paddy fields of Sanskrit," she has said.
The Best of Brit Lit|Peter Stothard|July 30, 2009|DAILY BEAST
The name Barhai is said to be from the Sanskrit Vardhika and the root vardh, to cut.
The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India|R. V. Russell
A gentleman resident in the town here—a Sanskrit scholar, and friend of Mr Morris.
Glyn Severn's Schooldays|George Manville Fenn
Here is the substantial fact behind Max Müller's often ridiculed theory of the renaissance of Sanskrit literature.
Translations of Shakuntala and Other Works|Kalidasa
Sanskrit literature, then, resembles that of the earlier Vedic age in being almost entirely metrical.
A History of Sanskrit Literature|Arthur A. MacDonell
That I had got some precious stones in my box with some Sanskrit letters cut in.
Glyn Severn's Schooldays|George Manville Fenn

British Dictionary definitions for sanskrit

Sanskrit

/ (ˈsænskrɪt) /

noun

an ancient language of India, the language of the Vedas, of Hinduism, and of an extensive philosophical and scientific literature dating from the beginning of the first millennium bc. It is the oldest recorded member of the Indic branch of the Indo-European family of languages; recognition of the existence of the Indo-European family arose in the 18th century from a comparison of Sanskrit with Greek and Latin. Although it is used only for religious purposes, it is one of the official languages of India

Derived FormsSanskritist, noun

Word Origin for Sanskrit

C17: from Sanskrit samskrta perfected, literally: put together

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 sanskrit

Sanskrit

1610s, from Sanskrit samskrtam "put together, well-formed, perfected," neuter of samskrta, from sam "together" (see same) + krta- "to make, do, perform," from PIE *k(w)er- "to make, form" (related to karma). "so called as being the cultivated or literary language, distinguished from the vulgar dialects, or, some say, because regarded as a perfect language, the speech of the gods, formed by infallible rules" [Century Dictionary].

Culture definitions for sanskrit

Sanskrit

The language of ancient India, and one of the oldest languages of the Indo-European family, to which English belongs.

Sanskrit

or San·scrit

noun

adjective

RELATED CONTENT

Origin of Sanskrit

Examples from the Web for sanskrit

British Dictionary definitions for sanskrit

Sanskrit

noun

Word Origin for Sanskrit

Word Origin and History for sanskrit

Sanskrit

Culture definitions for sanskrit

Sanskrit