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Glite Dictionary
Prakrit

Prakrit

1 9.9
Old everyday languages from northern and central India used long ago
  • noun
  • /ˈprɑːkrɪt/
  • Specialized
: prakrit
  • The Jain manuscripts were originally written in Prakrit rather than Sanskrit.

Examples

  • Many ancient Indian plays feature dialogue in Prakrit to reflect everyday speech.

  • Linguists study Prakrit texts to understand the evolution of modern Indo-Aryan languages.

  • The Jain manuscripts were originally written in Prakrit rather than Sanskrit.

  • The ancient language Prakrit has influenced many modern Indian languages.

  • Scholars often study Prakrits to understand early Indian literature.

  • Linguists study Prakrit texts to understand the evolution of modern Indo-Aryan languages.

  • Many ancient Indian plays feature dialogue in Prakrit to reflect everyday speech.

Synonyms

Prakrit language
vsPrakrit
  • Specialized
9.9

Old everyday languages spoken in northern and central India that are different from Sanskrit

is the same meaning but uses the shorter name form

Compounds

Prakrit language
  • Specialized
9.9

Old everyday languages spoken in northern and central India that are different from Sanskrit

Surface Forms

Prakrit singular
Prakrits plural

Etymology

Prakrit comes from the Sanskrit prakṛta, which means 'natural' or 'everyday language'. It was the common speech of ordinary people in ancient India, so Prakrit names the everyday languages used instead of formal Sanskrit.