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api

ind.

1. just; only
2. even; even then
3. if; even if
4. have?; did?; was?; perhaps?
5. but; however; yet
6. yes; surely; indeed
7. too; also; as well
8. on; onto

Built from

• a — prefix · and, also
  Proclitic particle from IE *h₂e-, functioning as an emphatic or focus marker. Often marks the scope of adverbs and conjunctions.
• pi — root · surely, I suppose
  Enclitic assertive particle cognate with Greek pou and Sanskrit pi. Adds modal force (affirmation, supposition, or condition) to the preceding element.

Etymology. From a + pi. The a- is the proclitic particle a (emphatic/interrogative marker, from Indo-European *h₂e- 'and, also'); pi is an enclitic assertive particle cognate with Greek pou 'surely, I suppose' (from *bhu-). Together they form an emphatic or modal particle used to mark scope: 'even, also, if, surely'. The combination reflects the common pattern in Indo-European of stacking particles for modal force.

Meanings from the Digital Pāḷi Dictionary; morphology and etymology by Claude.

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