Veda

noun

Ve·​da ˈvā-də 

: any of four canonical collections of hymns, prayers, and liturgical formulas that comprise the earliest Hindu sacred writings

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Sanskrit veda- "knowledge, insight, sacred writings," derivative from the base of veda "(he/she) knows," vid- "knowledge"; akin to Greek oîde "(he/she) knows," Old English witan "to know" — more at wit entry 2

First Known Use

1734, in the meaning defined above