guru

The word 'guru' entered English in the early 17th century, borrowed directly from Hindi and Punjabi, which in turn derived it from Sanskrit 'guru', meaning 'venerable, weighty, heavy'. In its original Sanskrit context, the term carried connotations of gravitas and spiritual authority, literally describing a weighty or dignified person. This sense of profound importance was transferred to the role of a revered teacher or guide. The modern, secularized meaning of an expert or influential leader in any field developed in the mid-20th century, extending the concept of authoritative guidance from the spiritual to the professional realm.

The word 'guru' is a simplex loanword from Sanskrit. It is not productively segmented into smaller morphemes in English.