twice-born

[ twahys-bawrn ]

adjective

1. Hinduism. of or relating to members of the Indian castes of Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaisyas, who undergo a spiritual rebirth and initiation in adolescence.
2. having undergone reincarnation.
3. born-again ( def 1 ).
4. denoting any moral or religious experience that brings about a major reorientation of a person's character or personality.

Word History and Origins

Origin of twice-born¹

1400–50, 1785–95 twice-born fordef 1; late Middle English: an epithet of Bacchus

Example Sentences

O chief of the twice-born race, I wish to hear all about it in detail as it happened.

From Project Gutenberg

But their false etymology is important to us, because it shows that they believed the Dithyrambos was the twice-born.

From Project Gutenberg

The Shudras are the fourth caste that exists chiefly to serve the three twice-born castes, and above all the Brahman.

From Project Gutenberg

A comrade who knew more of her inner life than almost any other, lets in a sidelight upon her association with ‘Twice Born Men.’

From Project Gutenberg

It is from their participation in this rite that the three upper classes are called the twice-born.

From Project Gutenberg