arhat
arhat Lexical Profile
arhat Game Scores & Validity
• noun
In Buddhism, a perfected spiritual practitioner who has attained enlightenment, eradicated all mental defilements, and achieved liberation from the cycle of rebirth (nirvana).
"The ancient temple courtyard was lined with stone statues depicting the eighteen revered arhats in various postures of meditation."
The small, round, sweet-tasting fruit of Siraitia grosvenorii, a perennial herbaceous vine in the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae) native to southern China and northern Thailand, more commonly known as monk fruit or luohan guo and widely used as a natural non-caloric sweetener and traditional herbal remedy.
"Extracts from the dried arhat fruit are frequently used in modern beverages as a zero-calorie substitute for refined sugar."
Word Nuance & Usage
In Theravada Buddhism, the Pali form 'arahant' is often preferred over the Sanskrit 'arhat', whereas in Mahayana traditions the spiritual ideal of the arhat is frequently contrasted with that of the bodhisattva, who delays personal nirvana to assist all sentient beings.
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the 19th century from Sanskrit 'arhat', meaning 'worthy' or 'venerable', the present participle of the verb 'arhati' ('to deserve' or 'to be worthy').
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.