sanskrit

The ancient language of the Hindoos, long since obsolete
in vernacular use, but preserved to the present day as the literary and
sacred dialect of India. It is nearly allied to the Persian, and to the
principal languages of Europe, classical and modern, and by its more
perfect preservation of the roots and forms of the primitive language
from which they are all descended, is a most important assistance in
determining their history and relations. Cf. Prakrit, and Veda.