\Su"tra\, n.; pl. {Sutras}. [Skr. s?tra a thread, a string
of rules; an aphorism; fr. siv to sew.]
1.
   (a) A precept; an aphorism; a brief rule.
   (b) A collection of such aphorisms.
2. pl. A body of Hindoo literature containing aphorisms on
   grammar, meter, law, and philosophy, and forming a
   connecting link between the Vedic and later Sanscrit
   literature. --Balfour (Cyc. of India).