English Explanatory Dictionary

gassho

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A ritual gesture of Eastern origin, with hands pressed together in front of the chest. It can be used for prayer or as a sign of greeting, gratitude, reverence, or apology. When performed with a bow, it is called gassho rei.
verb
  1. To make this gesture.

Word forms

gassho gasshos gasshoing gasshoed

Etymology

From Japanese 合掌 (gasshō), from Middle Chinese 合掌 (ɣop-tʃáng, “Buddhist-style pressed-palm gesture of piety”) (compare Mandarin 合掌 (hézhǎng), Cantonese 合掌 (hap⁶ jeung²)), from 合 (“unite”) and 掌 (zhǎng, “palm”).

Synonyms

namaste
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