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 forms
San·skrit·ist, San·scrit·ist, nounnon-San·skrit·ic, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for sanskrit
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 Forms
Sanskritist, nounWord 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
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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.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.