Sikhs

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Individuals who practice a religion founded in the 15th century that stresses oneness of God and equality among all people
2. Practitioners of a faith characterized by a rich tradition of spiritual teachings and community service focused on universal brotherhood
3. Members of a religious community that began in the late 1400s in South Asia, emphasizing devotion to one God and social equality

Etymology: Sikhs are the followers of Sikhism, and the word's meaning comes from Punjabi, the language of the region in northwest India where the faith took shape. The Punjabi "sikkha" means "disciple" or "learner," and it reflects the religion's central idea that followers are students of its teachings. The term was borrowed into English from that Punjabi source, so the name describes the believers as disciples rather than naming them after a founder's title. The plural "Sikhs" is simply the form used when referring to more than one follower, or to the community as a whole. Because the English word is a direct borrowing, it has kept the sense of learning and devotion that the Punjabi word carried.