Brahman

noun Brah·man \ˈbrä-mən; 2 is ˈbrā-, ˈbrä-, ˈbra-\

: a member of the highest priestly class of Hindu society

: an educated person who belongs to a high social class

Full Definition of BRAHMAN

a : a Hindu of the highest caste traditionally assigned to the priesthood

b : ¹brahma 2

: any of an Indian breed of humped cattle : zebu; especially : a large vigorous heat- and tick-resistant usually silvery-gray animal developed in the southern United States from the zebu and now used chiefly for crossbreeding

usually Brahmin : a person of high social standing and cultivated intellect and taste <Boston Brahmans>

— Brah·man·ic \brä-ˈma-nik\ or Brah·man·i·cal \-ni-kəl\ adjective

See Brahman defined for English-language learners

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Variants of BRAHMAN

Brah·man or Brah·min \ˈbrä-mən; 2 is ˈbrā-, ˈbrä-, ˈbra-\

Origin of BRAHMAN

Middle English Bragman inhabitant of India, from Latin Bracmanus, from Greek Brachman, from Sanskrit brāhmaṇa of the Brahman caste, from brahman Brahman

First Known Use: 15th century