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muddhāvasitto

muddhāvasitta

masc nom sg of muddhāvasitta (adj)

1. head-anointed; consecrated; inaugurated

Built from

• muddha — root · head
  From √muh with ancient sense of the crown or turning part of the head; collective term for the uppermost point.
• ā — prefix · toward, upon
  Directional prefix marking approach or settling toward a location; here indicates unction flowing toward or settling on the head.
• vas — root · sit, dwell, settle
  Root meaning to occupy or settle in place; here used of unguent or oil settling and adhering to the skin.
• itta — ending · past participle
  Past participial suffix marking the state resulting from the action; marks muddhāvasitta as an adjective describing the consecrated state.

Analysis. muddha (head) + āvasitta (seated upon, anointed upon); a dvandva-type compound denoting ritual anointment on the head as mark of consecration or royal inauguration.

Etymology. muddha is from √muh (to be confused, to turn) via the sense 'crown of the head' (the topmost, turning part); āvasitta is from ā (toward) + √vas (to sit, dwell, settle), literally 'seated upon', used for oils or unctions settling on the body. The compound is attested in royal and monastic consecration contexts.

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

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