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noun
(in Indian mythology) a member of a semi-divine race, part human, part cobra in form, associated with water and sometimes with mystical initiation.
‘His canvasses have lustrous Buddhas, among nagas, dragons, animals and birds.’- ‘Thus, the nagas, who in Buddhist mythology protected Buddha before his enlightenment by shooting down lightning bolts aimed at him, guard the sacred temple.’
- ‘Specially pertinent to this period is the image of Buddha seated on the mythological, multi-headed serpent or naga.’
- ‘The naga turned and smiled, his golden-reptilian eyes locking with his.’
Origin
From Sanskrit nāga ‘serpent’.
noun
(in some Hindu sects) a naked wandering ascetic, in particular one belonging to a sect whose members carry arms and serve as mercenaries.
‘The totally naked sadus are called nagas, and they are the most militant of the sect.’- ‘The textiles of Indonesia have, across time, also incorporated and integrated Hindu's symbols such as the Garuda, the naga, the lotus, the elephant, the ‘mandala diagrams’ and so on.’
- ‘Beyond that, there are devas, nagas, higher categories of devas such as Brahma or Shiva, and so on.’
- ‘Buddha not only gave the teachings in human language but in the language of the gods and the nagas.’
Origin
From Hindi nāgā ‘naked’.
noun
1A member of a group of peoples living in or near the Naga Hills of Burma (Myanmar) and north-eastern India.
‘The Nagas lived in mountainous north-east India on the Myanmar border.’- ‘We have seen it in India in the agreement between the Government and the Nagas.’
- ‘Many Nagas are said now to speak broken Assamese and Hindi.’
- ‘He also said ‘eighty per cent of the Nagas supported the peace process today‘.’
- ‘With capable leadership and without missionary support, the Nagas and other tribal groups have produced outstanding leaders who helped indigenize the Christian gospel in a positive way.’
2mass noun Any of the Tibeto-Burman languages of the Nagas, with about 340,000 speakers altogether.
- ‘This seemed to gain some attention, as a few snarling words in Naga accompanied a warrior struggling out of bed, sword in hand.’
adjective
Relating to the Nagas or their language.
‘From the color of their sarongs and the way they wear their machetes in a shoulder scabbard, I know they are Naga tribesmen.’- ‘While music may have always been part of Naga life, the state has recently witnessed a sudden growth of pop bands and folk music groups.’
- ‘The talks with Naga elders may be fraught with tension but attempts are being made by both sides to keep the dialogue going.’
- ‘The typical Naga embroidery has been used on the long jackets that are embellished with leather straps and more sequence.’
- ‘The Naga tribesmen I manage to speak to refuse to guide me.’
Origin
Perhaps from Sanskrit nagna ‘naked’ or naga ‘mountain’.
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