man·tra (m n tr , m n -)n. 1. Hinduism A sacred verbal formula repeated in prayer, meditation, or incantation, such as an invocation of a god, a magic spell, or a syllable or portion of scripture containing mystical potentialities. 2. A commonly repeated word or phrase: "Today's edutainment software comes shrinkwrapped in the magic mantra: 'makes learning fun.'" (Clifford Stoll). [Sanskrit mantra  ; see men-1 in Indo-European roots.]man tric adj. |
mantra [ˈmæntrə ˈmʌn-]
n
1. (Non-Christian Religions / Hinduism) Hinduism any of those parts of the Vedic literature which consist of the metrical psalms of praise
2. (Non-Christian Religions / Hinduism) (Non-Christian Religions / Buddhism) Hinduism Buddhism any sacred word or syllable used as an object of concentration and embodying some aspect of spiritual power
[from Sanskrit, literally: speech, instrument of thought, from man to think]
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | mantra - a commonly repeated word or phrase; "she repeated `So pleased with how its going' at intervals like a mantra" |
| 2. |  mantra - (Sanskrit) literally a `sacred utterance' in Vedism; one of a collection of orally transmitted poetic hymnsHindooism, Hinduism - a body of religious and philosophical beliefs and cultural practices native to India and based on a caste system; it is characterized by a belief in reincarnation, by a belief in a supreme being of many forms and natures, by the view that opposing theories are aspects of one eternal truth, and by a desire for liberation from earthly evils Buddhism - the teaching of Buddha that life is permeated with suffering caused by desire, that suffering ceases when desire ceases, and that enlightenment obtained through right conduct and wisdom and meditation releases one from desire and suffering and rebirth religious text, religious writing, sacred text, sacred writing - writing that is venerated for the worship of a deity |
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