pundit

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an expert who regularly gives opinions or analysis in the media

   The political pundit predicted that the coalition would lose its majority.

2. 2
   noun

   a learned Hindu scholar, especially one versed in Sanskrit, religion, philosophy, or law

   The court consulted a pundit on the interpretation of Hindu law.

3. 3
   noun

   historically, a native surveyor trained by the British to conduct clandestine geographical surveys beyond the borders of British India

   Disguised as a pilgrim, the pundit counted his paces across the mountain pass.

Borrowed from Hindi pandit and Urdu pandit, ultimately from Sanskrit pandita ('learned, wise; scholar or teacher'). English first used the word for learned Indian scholars; the modern media sense broadened it to any supposed expert who offers public commentary.

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