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prana

noun
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pra·​na | \ ˈprä-nə How to pronounce prana (audio) \
plural pranas

Definition of prana

Hinduism
: a life breath or vital principle in Vedic and later Hindu religion It's glorious to be in this newbie micro farm, with everything so green and lush and bursting with prana.— Valerie Reiss Eastern philosophy holds that yoga heals by releasing prana, the body's vital energy. When prana is blocked, illness can result. Western practitioners believe yoga's deeply relaxing breath work allows the body's healing abilities to take over.— Norine Dworkin

First Known Use of prana

1785, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for prana

borrowed from Sanskrit prāṇa- "breath, exhalation, breath of life," derivative from the base of prāṇiti "(she/he) breathes, draws in breath," from pra- "before, forward" + aniti "(she/he) breathes" — more at for entry 1, animate entry 1

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Dictionary Entries Near prana

Pramnian

prana

pranayama

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Cite this Entry

“Prana.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prana. Accessed 19 May. 2022.

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