feminine nominative singular (or accusative); a Pali-Sanskrit hybrid compound, possibly a later scribal form; attested chiefly in post-canonical Pali
Analysis. kiccā (what must be done, duty; from kicca, neuter past participle of karati "do") + mātappā (effort, diligence, earnestness; from māta + appā, lit. "mother-self" or more likely a confusion/alteration of Sanskrit mattā "measure" or prabandha-related forms). The compound blends Pali kiccā with a non-standard form suggesting Sanskrit influence.
Etymology. kicca derives from √kar (do, make; cognate with Latin creare, English create, Greek κράζω); mātappā is obscure, possibly contaminated by Sanskrit-influenced phonetics in later transmission. The form kiccamātappaṁ appears to be a learned coinage emphasizing virtue and application rather than a classical Pali phrase.
Meanings from the Digital Pāḷi Dictionary; morphology and etymology by Claude.
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