Aryan
1 of 2adjective
Ary·an ˈa-rē-ən 
ˈer-ē-;
ˈär-yən 1
: indo-european
2
a
: of or relating to a hypothetical ethnic type illustrated by or descended from early speakers of Indo-European languages
b
: nordic
c
—used in Nazism to designate a supposed master race of non-Jewish Caucasians usually having Nordic features
3
: of or relating to Indo-Iranian or its speakers
Aryan
2 of 2noun
1
: indo-european
2
a
: nordic
b
: gentile
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Sanskrit ārya noble, belonging to an ancient people of northern India speaking an Indo-European dialect
First Known Use
Adjective
1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1