Brahmanism

B3R1A1H4M3A1N1I1S1M3

proper noun

The principles and religious practice of the Brahmins, aspects of Hinduism as practiced by the Brahmin caste of India.

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Meanings

proper noun

alternative Brahmenism · alternative Brahminism

  1. The principles and religious practice of the Brahmins, aspects of Hinduism as practiced by the Brahmin caste of India.
  2. Historical Vedic ritualism, contrasted with Shramana traditions.

    Alongside Brahmanism was the non-Aryan Shramanic culture with its roots going back to prehistoric times.

    1972, Cromwell Crawford, review of L. M. Joshi, Brahmanism, Buddhism and Hinduism, Philosophy East and West
  3. The conduct or attitudes ascribed to the social or cultural elite within a given society.

    I am sorry to say that I have found it uphill and exasperating work trying to impose Joyce on such “intellectual” people, or people whose opinion carries weight as I know, in London. … There is a strong body of critical Brahminism, destructive and conservative in temper, which will not have Joyce.

    July 9, 1919, letter from T.S. Eliot to John Quinn

Synonyms & antonyms

nounthe religious and social system of orthodox Hinduism

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nounthe religious beliefs of ancient India as prescribed in the sacred Vedas and Brahmanas and Upanishads

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Broader
religionfaithreligious belief

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

From brahman + -ism or brahmin + -ism. Introduced in 1816 as Brahmenism by George S. Faber (OED).

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Finnish brahmalaisuus, brahmalaisuus
  • brahmalaisuusprinciples and religious practice of Brahmins
  • brahmalaisuusVedic ritualism
Cite this entry
APA

Brahmanism. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Brahmanism

MLA

“Brahmanism.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Brahmanism. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Brahmanism,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Brahmanism.

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