Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Vaisheshika

noun
Vai·​she·​shi·​ka
variants: or less commonly Vaisesika \vīˈshāshə̇kə, -​ˈsāsə̇-​ \
plural -s

Definition of Vaisheshika 

: an orthodox philosophical system in Hinduism distinguished by its atomic theory of cosmology

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for Vaisheshika

Sanskrit vaiśeṣika distinction, distinct nature of the eternal substances, from viśeṣa distinction, from viśiṣyate it is distinguished, from vi apart, asunder + śiṣyate it is left

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about Vaisheshika

Share Vaisheshika

Dictionary Entries near Vaisheshika

vair in pale

vair undy

Vais

Vaisheshika

Vaishnava

Vaishnavite

Vaishya

Statistics for Vaisheshika

Look-up Popularity

Comments on Vaisheshika

What made you want to look up Vaisheshika? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

tchotchke

a knickknack or trinket

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Find the Cousins

  • a-large-tree-with-many-branches
  • Which pair shares a common word ancestor?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games