Veda

Veda
    n 1: (from the Sanskrit word for `knowledge') any of the most
         ancient sacred writings of Hinduism written in early
         Sanskrit; traditionally believed to comprise the Samhitas,
         the Brahmanas, the Aranyakas, and the Upanishads [syn:
         {Vedic literature}, {Veda}]
    

Veda \Ve"da\ (v[=a]"d[.a]or v[=e]"d[.a]; 277), n. [Skr. v[=e]da,
   properly, knowledge, from vid to know. See {Wit}.]
   The ancient sacred literature of the Hindus; also, one of the
   four collections, called {Rig-Veda}, {Yajur-Veda},
   {Sama-Veda}, and {Atharva-Veda}, constituting the most
   ancient portions of that literature.
   [1913 Webster]

   Note: The language of the Vedas is usually called

   {Vedic Sanskrit}, as distinguished from the later and more
      settled form called

   {classical Sanskrit}.
      [1913 Webster]