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ettāvatāpi
ettāvatā
indeclinable + api
- ettāvatā (ind): to this extent; to such a degree; so far
- ettāvatāpi (sandhi): even just this much; even to this extent; even just so far
- ettāvant (adj): such; so great; so excellent; lit. having this quality
Built from
- etta — root · this (proximal)
Demonstrative stem showing nearness to the speaker. Found in ettāvatā "this-much", forming the basis of extent expressions.
- vant — ending · having (quality)
Suffix forming adjectives meaning "having" or "possessing the quality of"; here creating ettāvant "having this quality", i.e. "of this extent".
- ā — ending · adverbial marker
Final ā converts the adjective ettāvant into the indeclinable adverbial form ettāvatā, allowing it to modify verbs and clauses.
- api — prefix · even, also
Enclitic particle meaning "even" or "also", emphasizing the minimal or concessional sense; cognate with Sanskrit api and Indo-European roots underlying English "of".
Analysis. ettāvatā (to this extent) + api (even, also), a sandhi compound meaning "even to this extent" or "even just so far"; used to mark something as minimal or merely preliminary.
Etymology. ettāvatā from etta- (proximal demonstrative, "this") + -vant- (suffix "having the quality of") + ā (adverbial ending); api is an ancient particle meaning "even, also" cognate with Sanskrit api, Greek apo "away from", and English "of".