noun
sutra
SOOT-ruh
noun
1
A rule, aphorism, or short saying in Sanskrit texts on grammar, law, or philosophy.
"The scholar spent years studying the ancient grammatical sutras."
2
A Buddhist scripture recording a teaching or discourse of the Buddha.
"Monks chanted a sutra during the morning ceremony."
How to Use Sutra
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA short, authoritative teaching or rule in Hindu or Buddhist tradition.
Common pairings
Buddhist sutra
recite a sutra
the Yoga Sutras
Word Forms
sutras plural
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Etymology
From Sanskrit sutra, meaning "thread" or "string" — the same root gives us "suture" and "sew."