List of English Words of Sanskrit Origin - M

M

Maharajah

through Hindi महाराजा ultimately from Sanskrit महा राजन् maha-rājān, which means "a great king".

Maharani

through Hindi महारानी finally from Sanskrit महा रानी mahārājnī, which means "consort of a maharajah".

Maharishi

from Sanskrit महर्षि maha-rishi, which means "a great sage".

Mahatma

from Sanskrit महात्मा mahatman, which means "a great breath, soul".

Mahayana

from Sanskrit महायान maha-yana, which means "a great vehicle".

Mahout

via Hindi माहुत (variant of महावत) ultimately from Sanskrit महमत्रह् mahāmātrah.;

Mandala

from Sanskrit मण्डल mandala, which means "a disc, circle".

Mandarin

via Portuguese mandarim, Dutch mandorijn, Malay mantri, and Hindi मंत्री mantri "a councillor" ultimately from Sanskrit मन्त्रिन् mantri, which means "an advisor".

Mantra

from Sanskrit मन्त्र mantra-s which means "a holy message or text".

Maya

from Sanskrit माया māyā, a religious term related with illusion.

Mithras

from Sanskrit मित्र Mitrah, which means "a friend".

Moksha

from Sanskrit मोक्ष moksha, liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth.

Mugger

via Hindi मगर and Urdu مگر magar ultimately from Sanskrit मकर makara ("sea creature"), like a crocodile, which attacks stealthily.

Mung bean

through Hindi मुग mū̃g and Pali/Prakrit मुग्ग mugga ultimately from Sanskrit मुग्दह् mudgah, a kind of bean.

Musk

via Middle English Muske, Middle French Musc, Late Latin Muscus and Late Greek μόσχος moskhos from Persian موشک mushk, ultimately from Sanskrit मुस्कस् muska-s meaning "a testicle", from a diminutive of मुस mus ("mouse").

Mynah

through Hindi मैना maina ultimately from Sanskrit मदन madana-s, which means "love".