acharya

noun

achar·​ya

ä-ˈchär-yə

plural -s

1

: a Hindu religious teacher : one versed in the sacred writings of the Hindus

2

: any illustrious or learned person in India

Word History

Etymology

Sanskrit ācārya, literally, one who knows the rules, from ācāra custom, rule of conduct, from ācarati he approaches, proceeds, acts, from ā towards + carati he moves, goes; akin to Greek o- (in okellein to run aground), Avestan & Old Persian ā toward, Old English ō- back, behind, Old High German ā-, Old Slavic ja- (in jaskudĭ ugly)

First Known Use

1792, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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