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ayamāyasmā

sandhi contraction

1. this venerable

Built from

• ayaṃ — root · this
  Demonstrative pronoun (nominative masculine singular). Related to Latin is 'this' and Sanskrit idam. The root points to the deictic particle *i- ('point, indicate').
• āyasmā — stem · venerable, sir
  Honorific epithet for a monk or respected elder. Derived from ā- (toward) + √yas (strength, vigor), originally 'one possessing strength'; the -mant suffix (Sanskrit -māṁs, Pali -mā) marks a possessive adjective. The sense evolved from 'strong, worthy' to a respectful form of address.

Analysis. ayaṃ 'this' + āyasmā 'venerable one' (honorific form of address for monks). A nominative singular demonstrative pronoun followed by an honorific title, contracted in speech; the initial ā- of āyasmā assimilates after the nasal ending of ayaṃ.

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

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