Main Entry: tan·tra

Pronunciation: \ˈtən-trə, ˈtän-, ˈtan-\

Function: noun

Usage: often capitalized

Etymology: Sanskrit, literally, warp, from tanoti he stretches, weaves; akin to Greek teinein to stretch — more at thin

Date: 1799

: one of the later Hindu or Buddhist scriptures dealing especially with techniques and rituals including meditative and sexual practices; also : the rituals or practices outlined in the tantra

— tan·tric \-trik\ adjective often capitalized

— Tan·trism \-ˌtri-zəm\ noun

— Tan·trist \-trist\ noun