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kāmataṇhā

fem nom sg of kāmataṇhā (noun); fem nom pl of kāmataṇhā (noun); fem acc pl of kāmataṇhā (noun); fem instr sg of kāmataṇhā (noun); …

1. craving for sensual pleasure

Built from

• kāma — root · sensual desire, lust
  Denotes desire for sense-objects (sight, sound, taste, touch, smell, mental impressions). The root underlying kāma suggests the outward movement toward an object of craving.
• taṇhā — root · craving, thirst
  A metaphorical extension from physical thirst to mental craving; fundamental to the Second Noble Truth (samudaya), where taṇhā is the cause of dukkha (suffering). The three types are kāmataṇhā (sensual), bhavataṇhā (craving for existence), and vibhavataṇhā (craving for non-existence).

Analysis. kāma (sensual desire) + taṇhā (craving); the compound denotes one of the three principal forms of craving in the Four Noble Truths, bound specifically to the desire for sense-objects and pleasures.

Etymology. kāma derives from an Indo-European root *kam- "to desire" (compare Sanskrit kāma, and distantly English "come" in the sense of approaching what one wants); taṇhā is from a Pali and Sanskrit root expressing thirst and longing (cognate with Old English "thirst" in form and sense through the Indo-European *tṛs-; the Pali form shows the typical dental nasal development in Prakrit).

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

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