Nai

noun

ˈnäē
plural -s
: a member of a barber caste of Hindus in India that grooms the living and the dead and thus is intimately associated with Hindu ceremonial life including the contraction of marriages

Word History

Etymology

Hindi nāī, from Sanskrit nāpita; akin to Sanskrit snāti he bathes

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 Nai

Cite this Entry

“Nai.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Nai. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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