Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A member of a cultural and social elite, especially of that formed by descendants of old New England families.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun etc. See Brahman, Brahmanic, etc.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Alternative spelling of brahmin.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a member of the highest of the four Hindu varnas
  • noun any of several breeds of Indian cattle; especially a large American heat and tick resistant greyish humped breed evolved in the Gulf States by interbreeding Indian cattle and now used chiefly for crossbreeding
  • noun the highest of the four varnas: the priestly or sacerdotal category
  • noun a member of a social and cultural elite (especially a descendant of an old New England family)

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Probably alteration of Sanskrit brāhmaṇaḥ, from brāhmaṇa-, brahminic; see Brahman.]

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Examples

  • It portrays life of fourteen brahmin households, all living in one-room-houses rented out by a tough Brahmin window, Rangamma.

    Kamat's Potpourri 2009

  • It portrays life of fourteen brahmin households, all living in one-room-houses rented out by a tough Brahmin window, Rangamma.

    Kamat's Potpourri 2009

  • The term Brahmin has come to be used globally to describe those at the top of the heap with an attitude to match, as in Boston Brahmins.

    Reversal of Fortune Isolates India's Brahmins 2007

  • A curry in Tamil Brahmin cuisine is a dry sauteed preparation, not involving any gravy.

    Archive 2008-06-01 2008

  • A curry in Tamil Brahmin cuisine is a dry sauteed preparation, not involving any gravy.

    Traditional Lunch Series - Day 1 ( Vengaya sambar, Vendakkai curry, Potato Roast ) 2008

  • Btw - this to vnv - bagara baingan is a completely different and yes, Andhra dish, in a thick strong masala gravy that also uses tamarind, onions, garlic too - the last two very rarely featured in Tamil Brahmin cooking

    South Indian Baby Eggplant Curry roopa 2008

  • Kali and thalagam are a unique combination in Tamil Brahmin cuisine.

    Thiruvadirai Kali and Thalagam 2007

  • Kali and thalagam are a unique combination in Tamil Brahmin cuisine.

    Archive 2007-12-01 2007

  • --- So it means the self proclaimed superior intelligence of the Tamil Brahmin is due to the Dravidian genes mixing with them.

    Why are South Indians so smart? Steve Sailer 2002

  • The name Brahmin was used in Boston in the 1800s to describe a cultured person from an established upper-class family, and was chosen by the

    Business Wire Travel News 2010

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