rishi

See also: Rishi and rìshí

English

Etymology

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

Noun

rishi (plural rishis)

1. A Vedic poet and seer who composed Rigvedic hymns, who alone or with others invokes the deities with poetry of a sacred character.
   • 2006, Karen Armstrong, The Great Transformation, Atlantic Books 2007, p. 25:

     The rishi asked one unfathomable question after another, until both he and his audience were reduced to the silence of unknowing.

2. (post-Vedic) A Hindu sage or saint occupying the same position in India 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.
   • 2005, Salman Rushdie, Shalimar the Clown, Vintage 2006, p. 25:

     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.

Anagrams

• Irish, sirih

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Japanese

Romanization

rishi

1. Rōmaji transcription of りし
2. Rōmaji transcription of リシ

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Thao

Noun

rishi

1. (anatomy) liver