haoma

[ hou-muh ]

noun

1. a leafless vine, Sarcostemma acidum, of eastern India, yielding a sour, milky juice.
2. Also Zoroastrianism.
   1. a sacramental drink prepared with the juice of the haoma plant, milk, and water.
   2. (initial capital letter) a god personifying this sacred drink.

Word History and Origins

Origin of haoma¹

1885–90; < Avestan; cognate with soma ²

Example Sentences

For the magic draught of the fairy-story appears to be closely connected with the Greek ambrosia, the Vedic soma or amrita, the Zend haoma.

From Project Gutenberg

This deified being, a personification of the consecrated drink, is supposed to have appeared before the prophet himself, and to have described to him the blessings which the haoma bestows upon its pious worshiper.

From Project Gutenberg