Brahmin is a noun referring to a member of the highest Hindu priestly caste, or more generally to someone considered culturally elite or scholarly. In historical and modern contexts, it denotes social role, learned status, and sometimes a Brahminical set of customs. The term often appears in discussions of Indian society, religion, and caste dynamics, as well as in literary references.
"The Brahmin priest led the ceremony with solemn precision."
"Several Brahmins in the village preserved ancient Sanskrit hymns."
"As a Brahmin, he followed strict dietary and ritual observances."
"The novel explores the tensions between Brahmins and other castes in 19th-century India."
The word Brahmin comes from Sanskrit ब्राह्मण (brāhmaṇa), derived from the root ब्रह् (brah) meaning 'to grow, to expand, to praise' or more specifically related to Brahman, the ultimate reality in Hindu philosophy. Brāhmaṇa originally referred to reciters and scholars who perform and preserve Vedic rituals and hymns; they were the priestly class in the Vedic varna system. The term appeared in classical Sanskrit texts, with earliest uses in the Vedāngas and Brahmanas as well as the Upaniṣads, where it denotes learned priests and custodians of ritual knowledge. In later Hindi and Indian English, Brahmin broadened to describe a social elite or educated class and, in Western scholarship, to denote the caste-based social group associated with priesthood and scholarship. The modern English usage often emphasizes cultural or intellectual prestige, beyond strict ritual role, sometimes carrying connotations of traditional authority or social superiority. Over time, the term has been subject to critical discussion in postcolonial contexts, reflecting changes in caste awareness and social mobility, while still appearing in academic, literary, and historical discourse. First known use in English texts traces to the 18th–19th centuries through colonial-era writings on Indian society and caste, gradually embedding into broader discourse as a reference to the elite Hindu priestly class and, by extension, a scholarly or culturally elevated person.
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Words that rhyme with "Brahmin"
-man sounds
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Pronounce as BRAH-min with primary stress on the first syllable. IPA in US: /ˈbrɑːmɪn/, UK: /ˈbrɒmɪn/, AU: /ˈbrɔːmɪn/. Start with an open back rounded vowel in the first syllable (BRah-), then a short /ɪ/ in the second syllable. Tie the vowels with a light, quick transition; avoid folding the second syllable into the first. A quick audio reference: listen for /ˈbrɑː/ then /mɪn/.
Common errors: 1) Misplacing the stress on the second syllable (bRAH-min or bra-MIN). 2) Using a long /ɑː/ in the second syllable (brâ-min). 3) Slurring the final /n/ or making it a nasalized vowel. Correction: keep primary stress on the first syllable, use /ɪ/ for the second vowel, and finish with a clean alveolar nasal /n/. Practice with slow repetition: /ˈbrɒmɪn/ or /ˈbrɑːmɪn/ depending on accent.
US: /ˈbrɑːmɪn/ with a broad /ɑː/ in the first syllable; non-rhotic influence is less relevant. UK: /ˈbrɒmɪn/ with shorter /ɒ/ and clipped /n/. Australian: /ˈbrɔːmɪn/ often with a broader, more rounded first vowel and a slightly longer overall vowel duration; final syllable typically voiced as /mɪn/ with clear /n/. All share initial stress on BRAH- and a short second syllable /mɪn/.
Challenges include maintaining strong first-syllable stress while producing a clear /brɑː/ or /brɒ/ vowel, then transitioning to a short /ɪ/ in the second syllable; tongue and lip position must smoothly shift from a wide, open vowel to a lax /ɪ/ without introducing a glide or extra vowel. Also, in rapid speech, the /m/ and final /n/ can merge subtly. Practicing with slow, deliberate articulation helps solidify the contrast between the two syllables.
A unique aspect is the potential subtle quality shift in the first vowel across dialects; some speakers may realize the /ɑː/ as a longer, deeper vowel, while others reduce it toward /ɒ/ or /ɔː/ depending on regional voice quality. Paying attention to length and openness of the first vowel, and keeping the second syllable crisp with /mɪn/ can ensure clarity across contexts. Also ensure the /r/ is not overly pronounced in non-rhotic varieties.
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