A Hindu or Indian scholar, expert, or learned person, especially one knowledgeable in philosophy, religion, or classical languages.
From Sanskrit pandita meaning 'learned' or 'wise.' The word came into English through colonial India and is used throughout South Asian cultures to denote scholarly expertise.
In India, a pandit might be called to perform rituals or give spiritual guidance—it's a position of real social respect. The word has been adopted into English to describe any kind of expert commentator, though the original meaning is specifically tied to Hindu scholarship.
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