brahman
brahman — noun
- brahmansingular
- brahmansplural
1. a person from the highest social group in the traditional Hindu caste system, es
a person from the highest social group in the traditional Hindu caste system, especially one linked with priestly duties.
Christopher asked whether the temple priest came from a brahman family.
a brahman family
Sana read about a brahman boy studying sacred texts with his uncle.
During the play, Kemi played a brahman advising the village king.
The museum label called the brahman a respected religious leader.
- Brahmin
the modern and much more common spelling for the same caste member
- Hindu priest
only fits when the person is serving a religious role; not every brahman is acting as a priest
- pandit
often stresses learning or religious scholarship more than caste background
用法筆記
Often appears in historical or religious writing about Hindu society. Modern general dictionaries more often use the spelling 'Brahmin' for this sense, but the meaning is the same.
常見錯誤
2. a large humped breed of cattle from India that is widely raised in hot regions f
a large humped breed of cattle from India that is widely raised in hot regions for meat.
Hui photographed a brahman grazing beside a dusty fence in Texas.
a brahman grazing
At the farm show, Anong compared the brahman with several local beef breeds.
Layla said the brahman handled the summer heat better than the other cattle.
The rancher bought a young brahman to help the herd handle summer heat.
- zebu
the broader cattle group; brahman is one famous breed within it
用法筆記
Usually used in farming or ranching contexts and often capitalized as 'Brahman' in breed names. It refers to one particular breed, not to humped cattle in general.
常見錯誤
3. a person from an old and highly respected social group, especially in traditiona
a person from an old and highly respected social group, especially in traditional Boston or New England society.
Wren joked that only a brahman would complain about the club's silverware.
only a brahman would
Gabriel married into a Boston brahman family and learned their formal customs.
a Boston brahman family
Manuela's novel follows a young teacher working for a proud brahman widow.
At the fundraiser, Elise was introduced as a brahman from Beacon Hill.
- patrician
a formal word for someone from an old upper-class family
- blue blood
broader and often used for upper-class or noble background in many countries
- WASP
overlaps in old New England settings but also carries ethnic and religious overtones
- outsider
someone outside the old social circle
用法筆記
Most often appears in the phrase 'Boston Brahmin' and refers to old family status rather than religion. Distinguish from sense 1: this American social label is a metaphor based on high rank, not a Hindu caste term.