Mithra

M3I1T1H4R1A1

proper noun

A particular divinity (yazata) in Zoroastrianism and later Iranian history and culture, the hypostasis of "contract", "oath".

OriginProto-Indo-Iranian *mitrás ← Proto-Indo-European *mey- →
UncommonScrabble 11
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Meanings

proper noun
  1. A particular divinity (yazata) in Zoroastrianism and later Iranian history and culture, the hypostasis of "contract", "oath".
  2. rareRoman Mithras.

    The cult of Mithra had been spread by soldiers and had thrived particularly in the frontier provinces of the empire.

    1991, Robert Schilling, "Roman Religion", Roman and European Mythologies, UChicago Press, p. 67. (English language translation of a French text)
    1 more example

    The Roman Mithra was best known for his act of slaying a bull; yet there is no indication that the Iranian Mithra ever made his way into a bullpen for any reason. The Roman Mithra didn't appear at all interested in contract enforcement or escorting demons into hell.

    2008, James Patrick Holding, Shattering the Christ Myth, Xulon Press, page 202

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*mey-
  2. Proto-Indo-Iranian*mitrás
  3. EnglishMithra

Transliteration of Avestan 𐬨𐬌𐬚𐬭𐬀 (miθra), from Proto-Indo-Iranian *mitrás (literally “(that which) causes binding”), from Proto-Indo-European *mey- (literally “to bind”); cognate with Sanskrit मित्र (mitra, “friend, companion”). Doublet of Mitra.

More words from Proto-Indo-Iranian, Proto-Indo-European

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Ancient Greek Μίθρης, Μίθρας
  • Μίθρης (Míthrēs)Mithra
  • Μίθρας (Míthras)Mithra
Latin Mithras, Mithres
  • MithrasMithra
  • MithresMithra
Persian مهر
  • مهر (mehr)Mithra
Russian Ми́тра
  • Ми́тра (Mítra)Mithra

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

thiram
Cite this entry
APA

Mithra. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Mithra

MLA

“Mithra.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Mithra. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Mithra,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Mithra.

Source: Mithra on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.