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Glite Dictionary
brahman

brahman

9.9
A person from a wealthy old New England family who belongs to the social elite
  • noun
  • /ˈbrɑːmən/
  • US
translation icon : brahmán
  • Despite his wealth, he was never accepted as a brahman by the city's elite.

Examples

  • The brahman family hosted an extravagant gala last night.

  • Several old families pride themselves on their brahman heritage.

  • He was considered a true brahman in Boston society.

  • Many brahmans have a long history of philanthropy.

  • Many Brahmans from old New England families attend the annual charity gala.

  • As a Brahman, she felt a strong connection to her family's history and traditions.

  • The Brahman class has been influential in shaping the cultural landscape of the region.

Synonyms

brahmin
vsbrahman
  • US
1 9.9

A person from an old New England family with high social position

is a broader US term often linked to New England ancestry

Surface Forms

brahman singular
brahmans plural

Etymology

Brahman comes from the Sanskrit brāhmaṇa, a word for a 'priest' or 'learned person'. In the United States the name was used for a social elite of old, respected families, so a brahman became a way to say someone is a 'priestly' leader of high society.