define Aryan

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Ar·y·an

/ˈerēən,ˈärēən/

adjective

adjective: Aryan

1. 1.

   dated

   relating to or denoting peoples speaking Indo-European (or specifically Indo-Iranian) languages, or ancient peoples thought to have spoken Proto-Indo-European, the hypothetical language from which Indo-European languages are believed to derive.

   "the Aryan invasion theory is much debated"

   • relating to or denoting Indo-European languages, or the hypothetical Proto-Indo-European language.
   • old-fashioned term for Indo-Iranian (adjective), See also Indo-Aryan.
2. 2.

   (in Nazi ideology) of or denoting white non-Jewish people, especially those of northern European origin or descent typically having blond hair and blue eyes and regarded as a supposedly superior racial group.

   "Adolf Hitler's myth of Aryan supremacy"

noun

noun: Aryan; plural noun: Aryans

1. 1.

   dated

   a member of a people speaking an Indo-European (or specifically Indo-Iranian) language, or of an ancient people thought to have spoken the hypothetical proto-Indo-European language.

   "the place of origin of the Aryans has been variously sought in Europe and Asia"

   • old-fashioned term for the proto-Indo-European language.
   • old-fashioned term for Indo-Iranian (noun), See also Indo-Aryan.
2. 2.

   (in Nazi ideology) a white non-Jewish person, especially one of northern European origin or descent typically having blond hair and blue eyes and regarded as belonging to a supposedly superior racial group.

   "he looked the image of the ideal Aryan: tall, with Nordic blond hair"

Origin

mid 19th century: from Sanskrit ārya ‘high-ranking person, noble’ + -an.

Tip

Similar-sounding words

aryan is sometimes confused with arian