puja
UK[ˈpuːdʒə]US[ˈpuːdʒə]
n
a hindu act of worship or prayer, often involving offerings such as flowers, food, or light to a deity or an honored guest.
Etymology
the word 'puja' entered english in the 17th century, borrowed directly from the sanskrit term 'pūjā', which signifies reverence, worship, or homage. in its original sanskrit context, the concept encompassed a ceremonial act of showing respect through offerings, a practice deeply embedded in the religious traditions of the indian subcontinent. the english adoption retained this specific religious and cultural meaning, referring to the ritualistic worship performed in hinduism, buddhism, and jainism. its journey from a classical sacred language to a precise term in the english lexicon exemplifies the direct borrowing of culturally specific practices.
Analysis
this word is a loanword from sanskrit, adopted into english as a simplex unit. it does not contain separable morphemes within the modern english spelling.
Examples
every morning, she performs a puja at the small shrine in her home.
the festival included a grand puja to honor the goddess durga.
as part of the ceremony, the priest explained the significance of each offering made during the puja.