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ettakamhi

ettaka

masc loc sg of ettaka (adj); nt loc sg of ettaka (adj)

1. so much; this much; so long
2. this particular; these specific; limited to these

Built from

• et- — root · this, here
  Demonstrative root from *eta-, marking proximity and presence. Cognate with Sanskrit etad, Greek to, Latin istud; the concrete image is of pointing to something at hand.
• -ta — ending · neuter marker
  Neuter singular nominative/accusative ending, forming the neuter stem of the demonstrative.
• -ka — ending · specificity, diminutive
  Diminutive or specificity suffix that narrows the denotation to "this particular, this exact amount".
• -mhi — ending · locative case
  Locative singular ending (strengthened or alternative form of -e), marking location or the sphere within which something holds true.

Analysis. ettakamhi is the locative singular of ettaka ("this much, so much"), formed with the locative ending -mhi; the -mhi is a strengthened or alternative locative marker in Pali, used particularly with pronominal and demonstrative stems.

Etymology. ettaka derives from the demonstrative root *eta- ("this"), cognate with Sanskrit etad (neuter demonstrative pronoun "this"), Greek to (the article) and Latin istud ("that"). The -ka suffix is a diminutive or specificity marker. The sense "this much" arises from the spatial demonstrative base: a gesture toward something present and near.

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

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