[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/mahatma/)

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# mahatma

noun (a mahatma, mahatmas; usually as a title: Mahatma)

«mahatma» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A title meaning «great soul», given in India to a person who is very wise, good and respected. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mahatma/#m1)
2. (a name) Most often used for Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of India's peaceful struggle for freedom from British rule. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mahatma/#m2)

### In the lessons

In history lessons, «Mahatma» appears in the name Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948), who led Indians in non-violent protest, like the Salt March of 1930, and inspired Martin Luther King Jr and Nelson Mandela. «Mahatma» is a title of respect, not his first name (that was Mohandas). Phrases: «Mahatma Gandhi», «the Mahatma».

### Examples

- Mahatma Gandhi led India's struggle for freedom without violence. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mahatma/#x1)
- «Mahatma» means «great soul» in Sanskrit. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mahatma/#x2)
- His real first name was Mohandas, and «Mahatma» was a title people gave him. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mahatma/#x3)
- We read about the Mahatma's long walk to the sea to make salt. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mahatma/#x4)
- Many people called Gandhi «the Mahatma» with deep respect. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mahatma/#x5)
- Gandhi's birthday, 2 October, is a national holiday in India. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mahatma/#x6)
- Martin Luther King Jr learned from the Mahatma's ideas about peaceful protest. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mahatma/#x7)
- A mahatma is someone people see as very wise and good. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mahatma/#x8)

### Note

Usually written with a capital as a title: Mahatma Gandhi. A loanword from Sanskrit («maha» great + «atma» soul). Not his first name. Rarely used about anyone else in English. Not a maths word.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «mahatma» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mahatma/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«mahatma» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/mahatma.html) on Mova free.