/ ˌθerəˈvɑːdə; NAmE / (also ˌTheraˌvada ˈBuddhism ) noun
[ U ] one of the two major forms of Buddhism
—compare Mahayana
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WORD ORIGIN
from Pali (an ancient Indian language) theravāda , literally doctrine of the elders, from thera elder, old + vāda speech, doctrine.