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Rishi

//ˈrɪʃi// name, noun

Definitions

Proper Noun

1
A South Asian male given name from Sanskrit.
2
A South Asian surname from Sanskrit

Noun

1
A Vedic poet and seer who composed Rigvedic hymns, who alone or with others invokes the deities with poetry of a sacred character.
"The rishi asked one unfathomable question after another, until both he and his audience were reduced to the silence of unknowing."
2
A Hindu sage or saint occupying the same position in India's history as the patriarchs of other countries, constituting a peculiar class of beings in the early mythical system, as distinct from Asuras, Devas and mortal men.
"In the beginning Max had no idea she was even a film actress, this girl with the skin the colour of scorched earth, the well-concealed body and the demure manner of a disciple walking in the footsteps of a great rishi."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Sanskrit ऋषि (ṛ́ṣi), from Proto-Indo-Iranian *r̥šíš (whence Avestan 𐬆𐬭𐬆𐬴𐬌𐬴 (ərəṣ̌iṣ̌, “seer”)), probably related to अर्षति (árṣati, “to flow, pour”).

Etymology 2

From Sanskrit ऋषि (ṛṣi, “rishi, sage”), via New Indo-Aryan languages, such as Punjabi ਰਿਸ਼ੀ (riśī). Compare rishi.

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