Shaivite
/ˈʃaɪ.və.aɪt/noun
A follower of Shaivism, a major Hindu tradition devoted especially to the god Shiva.
Did you know?Shaivism contains traditions in which Shiva is not merely a god among others but the supreme reality underlying consciousness, creation, and destruction.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Śiva
“Auspicious, benevolent; later the name of the Hindu deity Shiva”
Ancient Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Śaiva
“Pertaining to or devoted to Shiva”
Early Medieval India
Sanskrit
Śaiva
“A member or expression of Shiva-centered religious traditions”
19th Century
English
Shaiva
“An English scholarly transliteration for something relating to Shiva or Shaivism”
19th–20th Century
English
Shaivite
“A follower of Shaivism, formed with the English religious-agent suffix “-ite””
Modern English
English
Shaivite
“A devotee or adherent of Shaivism”