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opammena

opamma

nt instr sg of opamma (noun)

1. simile; comparison; metaphor; analogy; lit. measured near state

Built from

• upa — prefix · up close, alongside
  Prefix denoting proximity and approach. Cognates: Greek hypo-, Latin sub-, English up. Here it suggests bringing a measuring-rod or standard near for comparison.
• amma — root · measure, fit
  Root from √am (to measure, to fit, to make ready). The concrete sense is the act of placing a measure or standard alongside something to gauge it.
• a — ending · neuter stem
  Neuter stem-forming suffix, marking opamma as a neuter noun.
• ena — ending · instrumental singular
  Instrumental singular ending, indicating the means or manner ('by means of', 'with', 'through').

Analysis. upa + amma, 'measured alongside': upa (up close to, near, alongside) + amma (measure, standard). The instrumental singular opammena means 'by means of a simile' or 'with a comparison as the measuring-rod'.

Etymology. upa + √am (to measure, fit). Amma cognate with Latin ammen 'fitting, suitable' and Greek amoibē 'exchange, fit return'. The prefix upa conveys the sense of bringing something near as a standard or yardstick against which to measure.

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

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