adharma

noun

adhar·​ma

¦ə-ˈdər-mə

plural -s

sometimes capitalized

1

Hinduism : individual disharmony with the nature of things : nonconformity to one's worldly situation

—opposed to dharma

2

Jainism : the uncreated and eternal substance that enables souls and matter to be inactive : the ontological principle of rest

adharma is compared to earth, on which creatures lie and stand

—Heinrich Zimmer

compare dharma

Word History

Etymology

Sanskrit, from a- a- entry 2 + dharma virtue

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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