Brahmin

[brah-min] /ˈbrɑ mɪn/
noun, plural Brahmin, Brahmins.
1.
Hinduism. Brahman (def 1).
2.
(especially in New England) a person usually from an old, respected family who, because of wealth and social position, wields considerable social, economic, and political power.
3.
a person who is intellectually or socially aloof.
adjective
4.
of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a Brahmin:
the Brahmin attitudes of a true aristocrat.
Origin
1475-85; variant of Brahman
Related forms
Brahminic
[brah-min-ik] /brɑˈmɪn ɪk/ (Show IPA), Brahminical, adjective
non-Brahminic, adjective
non-Brahminical, adjective
un-Brahminical, adjective
Can be confused
Brahman, Brahmin.
British Dictionary definitions for brahmins

Brahmin

/ˈbrɑːmɪn/
noun (pl) -min, -mins
1.
the older spelling of Brahman (sense 1)
2.
(in the US) a highly intelligent or socially exclusive person, esp a member of one of the older New England families
3.
an intellectual or social snob
Derived Forms
Brahminic, Brahminical, adjective
Word Origin and History for brahmins

brahmin

n.

"member of Boston's upper class," 1823, figurative use of Brahman "member of the highest priestly Hindu caste," late 15c., from Sanskrit brahmana-s, from brahman- "prayer," also "the universal soul, the Absolute," of uncertain origin. Related to Brahma.

brahmins in Culture
Brahmins [(brah-minz)]

The highest of the four major castes of Hinduism. Brahmins are followers of Brahma and were originally all priests.

Note: The name is often given to socially or culturally privileged classes, such as “Boston Brahmins.”