karma

English

/ˈkɑɹmə/, [ˈkɑː.mə], [ˈkɑɹ.mə], [ˈkəɾm(ə)]

noun
Definitions
  • (Hinduism) The sum total of a person's actions, which determine the person's next incarnation in samsara, the cycle of death and rebirth.
  • A force or law of nature which causes one to reap what one sows; destiny; fate.
  • (uncommon) A distinctive feeling, aura, or atmosphere.
  • (internet) A score assigned to a user of a discussion forum, indicating the popularity of their posts with other users.

Etymology

Borrowed from Sanskrit कर्मन् (action, act, performance, activity, work, rite, deed, first member of a compound, duty, doer) root from Proto-Indo-European *kʷer- (do, make, build, construct, a kind of dish pot).

Origin

Proto-Indo-European

*kʷer-

Gloss

do, make, build, construct, a kind of dish pot

Concept
Semantic Field

Basic actions and technology

Ontological Category

Action/Process

Kanji

建

Emoji

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms