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.