mahā

Etymology
From, form of used in compounds.

Adjective

 * 1)  great, eminent
 * 2) * 2012, N. N., 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, p. 66
 * This is especially true because many Hindus are looking forward to the time of the coming "Kalki" (also known as Maha Avatara, an incarnation of Vishnu, who will come to end the present age of darkness and destruction).
 * 1) * 1779, Treaty between the Company and Maha Raja Lukindar, Bahadoor, Rana of Gohud, Article III:
 * This force shall be employed for the defence of the Maha Raja's dominions, against all foreign or domestic enemies, and for the enlargement of his dominions, by conquest of the Murathas.
 * 1) * 1779, Treaty between the Company and Maha Raja Lukindar, Bahadoor, Rana of Gohud, Article III:
 * This force shall be employed for the defence of the Maha Raja's dominions, against all foreign or domestic enemies, and for the enlargement of his dominions, by conquest of the Murathas.
 * 1) * 1779, Treaty between the Company and Maha Raja Lukindar, Bahadoor, Rana of Gohud, Article III:
 * This force shall be employed for the defence of the Maha Raja's dominions, against all foreign or domestic enemies, and for the enlargement of his dominions, by conquest of the Murathas.
 * This force shall be employed for the defence of the Maha Raja's dominions, against all foreign or domestic enemies, and for the enlargement of his dominions, by conquest of the Murathas.

Usage notes
In modern English, Sanskrit loanwords containing mahā are normally spelled as single words, or are hyphenated. The reason mahā used to be spelled separately, and is still in some cases, is that it is normally pronounced as a separate word in the compounds which contain it, despite having no meaning on its own.

Noun

 * 1)  one of the three vehicles of mastery in means to achieve liberation