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