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Hi·na·ya·na ( Also called Theravada. )
earlier of the two great schools of Buddhism,
still prevalent in Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, and Cambodia,
emphasizing personal salvation through one's own efforts.

Hi·na·ya·na (hē'nə-yä'nə)
n. Offensive Theravada Buddhism.

[Sanskrit Hīnayānam, lesser vehicle (as contrasted with Mahāyānam, greater vehicle; see Mahayana) : hīna-, inferior; see ghē- in Indo-European roots + yānam, vehicle, way; see ei- in Indo-European roots.]
Hi'na·ya'nist n., Hi'na·ya·nis'tic (-yä-nĭs'tĭk) adj.
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Ma·ha·ya·na
the later of the two great schools of
Buddhism, chiefly in China, Tibet, and Japan,
characterized by eclecticism and
a general belief in a common search for
salvation, sometimes thought to be
attainable through faith alone.

[Sanskrit Mahāyānam, greater vehicle (as contrasted with Hīnayānam, lesser vehicle; see Hinayana) : mahā-, great; see meg- in Indo-European roots + yānam, vehicle; see ei- in Indo-European roots.]
Ma'ha·ya'nist n., Ma'ha·ya·nis'tic adj.

source from : http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mahayana