1. (Hindoo Myth.) The One First Cause; also, one of the triad of Hindoo gods. The triad consists of Brahma, the Creator, Vishnu, the Preserver, and Siva, the Destroyer.
According to the Hindoo religious books, Brahma (with the final a short), or Brahm, is the Divine Essence, the One First Cause, the All in All, while the personal gods, Brahmá (with the final a long), Vishnu, and Siva, are emanations or manifestations of Brahma the Divine Essence.
2. (Zoöl.) A valuable variety of large, domestic fowl, peculiar in having the comb divided lengthwise into three parts, and the legs well feathered. There are two breeds, the dark or penciled, and the light; -- called also Brahmapootra.
{ Brah"man (&?;), Brah"min (&?;), } n.; pl. Brahmans, Brahmins. [Skr. Brhmana (cf. Brahman worship, holiness; the God Brahma, also Brahman): cf. F. Brahmane, Brachmane, Bramine, L. Brachmanae, -manes, - mani, pl., Gr. &?;, pl.] A person of the highest or sacerdotal caste among the Hindoos.
Brahman bull (Zoöl.), the male of a variety of the zebu, or Indian ox, considered sacred by the Hindoos.
Brah"man*ess (&?;), n. A Brahmani.
Brah"man*i (&?;), n. [Fem. of Brahman.] Any Brahman woman. [Written also Brahmanee.]
{ Brah*man"ic (&?;), -ic*al (&?;), Brah*min"ic (&?;), *ic*al (&?;),} a. Of or pertaining to the Brahmans or to their doctrines and worship.
{ Brah"man*ism (&?;), Brah"min*ism (&?;), } n. The religion or system of doctrines of the Brahmans; the religion of Brahma.
{ Brah"man*ist (&?;), Brah"min*ist (&?;), } n. An adherent of the religion of the Brahmans.
Brah"mo*ism (&?;), n. The religious system of Brahmo-somaj. Balfour.
Brah`mo-so*maj" (&?;), n. [Bengalese, a worshiping assembly.] A modern reforming theistic sect among the Hindoos. [Written also Brama-samaj.]
Braid (brd), v. t. [imp. &. p. p. Braided; p. pr. & vb. n. Braiding.] [OE. braiden, breiden, to pull, reach, braid, AS. bregdan to move to and fro, to weave; akin. to Icel. bregða, D. breiden to knit, OS. bregdan to weave, OHG. brettan to brandish. Cf. Broid.]
1. To weave, interlace, or entwine together, as three or more strands or threads; to form into a braid; to plait.
Braid your locks with rosy twine.
Milton.
2. To mingle, or to bring to a uniformly soft consistence, by beating, rubbing, or straining, as in some culinary operations.