karma
nounUK, US /ˈkɑː(ɹ).mə/ · IN /kərm(ə)/
Etymology Borrowed from Sanskrit कर्म (kárma), nom.sg. of कर्मन् (kárman, “act, action, performance”); first attested in English in 1785 in a translation of the Bhagavad Gita by Charles Wilkins.
1
Buddhism, Lifestyle, Religion Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism The sum total of a person's actions, which determine the person's next incarnation in samsara, the cycle of death and rebirth.
- ‘We are all part of a circle of karma. We will be rewarded for the good deeds of our forefathers, and pay the price for their sins.’2023, Santanu Bhattacharya, One Small Voice, Fig Tree, pages 59-60:
2
A force or law of nature which causes one to reap what one sows; destiny; fate.
3
Uncommon A distinctive feeling, aura, or atmosphere.
- That means everything from lighting to the vibes, the karma of the room.2001, Inside the Hits, page 307:
- How many times when you have been in a bar have you felt that a confrontation was building up, even without extensive verbal exchanges? Sometimes you can feel the karma or energy of a place change, and you should not ignore that2006, Chase Sargent, From Buddy to Boss, page 219:
1 more example
- On the way to Lancaster, which was about an hour and a half from Philly, John felt the karma.2010, R.L. Roach, Irish Lie, page 135:
4
Internet A score assigned to a user or post on some discussion forums, indicating popularity or perceived value.
- Derived terms
- duskarma, instant karma, karma farm, karma farmer, karmaic, karmaless, karma-marga, karma's a bitch, karma whore, karma-yoga, karmic, karmic debt