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paṭipadā

paṭipada

nt nom pl of paṭipada (noun); nt instr sg of paṭipada (noun); nt abl sg of paṭipada (noun); nt voc sg of paṭipada (noun); …

1. paṭipada (nt): way; path of progress; path of practice
2. paṭipada (adj): who is walking the path; who is practising the path; going along
3. paṭipadā (fem): way; path of progress; mode of practice; method of implementation
4. paṭipadā (fem): (in debate) procedure; mode of conduct; rules of engagement
5. paṭipadā (fem): name for certain suttas

Built from

• paṭi — prefix · back, against
  Facing back, counter to forward motion; here metaphorically a path one pursues or returns to repeatedly.
• pada — root · foot, step, place
  Cognate with Latin pēs, English foot, Sanskrit pāda. The physical sense of a footstep or standing place underpins the sense of a path or position.

Analysis. paṭi- (back, against, counter-) + pada (foot, step, place) — literally 'stepping back against', hence a path or course one treads or returns to; in doctrinal use, the method or procedure one follows in practice.

Etymology. pada is the same root as Latin pēs (foot), English foot, and Sanskrit pāda. The prefix paṭi- (back, against) gives the compound its sense of a path one walks back along or pursues in return — the concrete image of stepping backward or retracing steps becomes the abstract notion of a methodical course of practice.

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

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