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namaste

namaste

13 7.0
A respectful gesture made by pressing the hands together and bowing slightly
  • noun
  • /nɑːməˈsteɪ/
  • Indian
translation icon : namasté
  • You know, these are the people who, for example, get out of their yoga class and, you know, say namaste at the end.
  • namaste, said
  • hands in namaste

So I just put my hands like in a namaste still holding this drum and I said oh, the guy pulled out a gun and he said you want some?

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Examples

  • "Namaste," the round one said in a voice slow and thick as the Yamuna through Delhi.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Please keep all in harm's way on your mind and in your heart, and always give thanks. Namaste.

    Blog text (8)
  • I suggest you look up the meaning of namaste.

    Blog text (5)
  • Looking forward to reading more of your insights, namaste!

    Blog text (34)
  • "Namaste, Professor," the woman's face betrayed relief.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • We convey a friendly "namaste" (good-bye) and the entire village waves its farewells.

    Academic text (1996)
  • Namaste, to those who have renounced the familiar way of living in order to devote themselves entirely to the spirit and liberation.

    Academic text (2018)
  • The Hindi have a word—"namaste"—essentially meaning that all living things that perceive represent a universe—a totality unto themselves.

    Blog text (14)
  • Early morning best. "We pressed our hands in namaste, and he and Mrs. Nair were gone, the grey ring of his tonsure and her lime-green sari all I could see as their passports were stamped on the short line for Indians.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • After finishing the yoga session, the instructor and students joined their palms together and said namaste to greet each other with respect.

Synonyms

greeting
vsnamaste
283 1.0

A friendly word or action you use when you meet someone

is a ritual physical sign of peace rather than a broad verbal expression
handshake
vsnamaste
117 1.0

A short greeting where two people hold and shake hands

keeps hands together without touching the other person
bow
vsnamaste
53 1.0

An act of bending the head forward to show respect

adds pressed hands and peace meaning to the simple forward bending
salaam
vsnamaste
21 9.9

A low bow that shows respect used as a greeting in Muslim cultures

is a regional peace gesture with hands pressed together and a slight bow
salutation
vsnamaste
  • Formal
5 4.4

A polite greeting given when people arrive or leave

is a specific physical peace gesture using pressed hands and slight bow

Surface Forms

namaste singular
namastes plural

Etymology

Namaste comes from the Sanskrit parts namaḥ 'bow' and te 'to you', meaning 'I bow to you'. As a gesture, a namaste is done with hands pressed together and a slight bow as a sign of respect and peace.