1. a member of a social and cultural elite (especially a descendant of an old New England family) - a Boston brahman • Syn: brahman • Derivationally related forms: brahminic, brahminical • Hypernyms: aristocrat, blue blood, patrician 2. a member of the highest of the four Hindu varnas - originally all brahmans were priests • Syn: brahman • Derivationally related forms: brahminic, brahminical • Hypernyms: Hindu, Hindoo, Hindustani • Hyponyms: smarta • Member Holonyms: brahman 3. the highest of the four varnas: the priestly or sacerdotal category • Syn: brahman • Derivationally related forms: brahminic, brahminical • Hypernyms: varna • Member Meronyms: brahman