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(Hindi pandit; Skr. pandita), a learned man, a teacher, particularly one skilled in Sanskrit and Hindu law, religion and philosophy. Before the institution of the High Courts in 1862, the Supreme Court of India had a law officer styled the Pundit of the Supreme Court, who advised the English judges on points of Hindu law. The term is frequently applied, somewhat derisively, or humorously, to learned persons, to those who claim by long official or other experience to lay down the law or dictate principles of conduct.