dharani

noun

dha·​ra·​ni
ˈdärə(ˌ)nē
plural dharanis or dharani
Hinduism & Mahayana Buddhism
: mantra

Word History

Etymology

Sanskrit dhāraṇī, literally, act of holding, remembering, from dhārayati he holds

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Dictionary Entries Near dharani

Cite this Entry

“Dharani.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dharani. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!