Shiva Definition

shēvə
shivas
noun
The formal mourning period of seven days, observed as in the home of the deceased, during which friends visit and comfort the bereaved.
Webster's New World
Webster's New World
One of the principal Hindu deities, worshiped as the destroyer and restorer of worlds and in numerous other forms. Shiva is often conceived as a member of the Trimurti, along with Brahma and Vishnu.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
  • shibah
  • shivah
  • siva
pronoun

(Hinduism) The god of destruction and transformation, and together with Brahma and Vishnu, one of the principal deities in Hinduism. Within Shaivism he is viewed as the Supreme deity, whereas in other branches of Hinduism such as the Smarta tradition he is worshipped as one of the six manifestations of the Divine.

Wiktionary
A male given name used in India.
Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Shiva

Noun

Singular:
shiva
Plural:
shivas

Origin of Shiva

  • Sanskrit śivaḥ from śiva- auspicious, dear kei- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Hebrew שִׁבְעָה (shiv'á, “seven"), referring to the number of days shiva extends.

    From Wiktionary

  • Yiddish shive from Hebrew šib‘â seven šbʕ in Semitic roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Sanskrit शिव (Åšivá, “the auspicious one").

    From Wiktionary

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