brahmin

Where does the word "brahmin" come from? It comes from Sanskrit brahmana, passing through Greek, Latin, Portuguese and Middle French before entering English (14th c. onward).

Brahmin’s story begins in Sanskrit: brahmana meant “a Hindu priest of the highest caste.” Named a member of the priestly class. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Greek as brachmanes. Greek writers described the Indian priest-philosophers they encountered. From there it passed into Latin as Bracmani by ancient/medieval. Roman and medieval Latin writers preserved the Greek term. Portuguese picked it up next, as bramine, around 16th c.. Portuguese traders in India carried the word to Europe. By 16th c., the word had taken hold in Middle French as bramine. Borrowed into French before reaching English. It reached English by 14th c. onward as Brahmin. Settled as the English term for the priestly caste, later extended to any elite class. Today, brahmin means a member of the highest Hindu priestly caste; loosely, a person of refined, elite social standing.

1. Stage 1 · Sanskrit · ancient brahmana "a Hindu priest of the highest caste", named a member of the priestly class.
2. Stage 2 · Greek · ancient brachmanes "Indian priest-philosopher", Greek writers described the Indian priest-philosophers they encountered.
3. Stage 3 · Latin · ancient/medieval Bracmani "the Indian priestly caste", Roman and medieval Latin writers preserved the Greek term.
4. Stage 4 · Portuguese · 16th c. bramine "Hindu priest", Portuguese traders in India carried the word to Europe.
5. Stage 5 · Middle French · 16th c. bramine "Hindu priest", borrowed into French before reaching English.
6. Stage 6 · English · 14th c. onward Brahmin "a member of the priestly Hindu caste; loosely, a person of high standing", settled as the English term for the priestly caste, later extended to any elite class.