‹ Back to the text

cetanā

cetana

masc nom pl of cetana (adj); fem nom sg of cetana (adj); fem nom pl of cetana (adj); nt nom pl of cetana (adj); …

1. cetana (adj): having the intention; with the will (to)
2. cetanā (fem): intending; willing

Built from

• cet — root · perceive, intend
  From √cit 'to think, be aware'. The root conveys the mind turning toward or grasping something; related distantly to Latin cognitus 'known'.
• anā — ending · abstract noun, feminine agent
  Feminine abstract suffix marking the activity or faculty of the root. Here it forms the volition or intention as an active, intentional power.

Etymology. From √cit 'to perceive, think, be aware' (Sanskrit citi, related to cognates like Latin cīvīs 'citizen' via Indo-European *kew- 'to notice, perceive'). The suffix -anā forms abstract nouns and feminine agent nouns; cetanā is the willing or intending faculty itself. In Buddhist doctrine, cetanā is volition or intention—the mental factor that directs action and generates karma.

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

Lite mode — plain HTML for e-readers and old browsers. Full version