Sanskrit

or San·scrit

[ san-skrit ]
/ ˈsæn skrɪt /

noun

an Indo-European, Indic language, in use since c1200 b.c. as the religious and classical literary language of India. Abbreviation: Skt

adjective

Also San·skrit·ic, San·scrit·ic. of or relating to Sanskrit.

Origin of Sanskrit

First recorded in 1610–20, Sanskrit is from the Sanskrit word saṃskṛta adorned, perfected

OTHER WORDS FROM Sanskrit

San·skrit·ist, San·scrit·ist, noun non-San·skrit·ic, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for sanskrit

British Dictionary definitions for sanskrit

Sanskrit
/ (ˈsænskrɪt) /

noun

an ancient language of India, the language of the Vedas, of Hinduism, and of an extensive philosophical and scientific literature dating from the beginning of the first millennium bc. It is the oldest recorded member of the Indic branch of the Indo-European family of languages; recognition of the existence of the Indo-European family arose in the 18th century from a comparison of Sanskrit with Greek and Latin. Although it is used only for religious purposes, it is one of the official languages of India

Derived forms of Sanskrit

Sanskritist, noun

Word Origin for Sanskrit

C17: from Sanskrit samskrta perfected, literally: put together

Cultural definitions for sanskrit

Sanskrit

The language of ancient India, and one of the oldest languages of the Indo-European family, to which English belongs.