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pavivekaṁ

paviveka

accusative singular masculine noun

1. seclusion, solitude
2. mental withdrawal from sense objects
3. quietude

Built from

• pa — prefix · forth, forward
  Intensifies and emphasizes the following root; here marks deliberate entry into seclusion.
• vi — prefix · apart, asunder
  Marks separation and discrimination; related to Latin dis- and English apart.
• vek — root · separate, sift
  The root √vic underlies discrimination and mental clarity through setting things apart.
• a — ending · masculine nominal stem formant
  Nominative singular stem-former for masculine abstract nouns; accusative -ṁ marks this as accusative case ending (inanimate object or destination).

Analysis. pa + viveka: pa- (forward, forth) + viveka (separation, discrimination). The compound emphasizes viveka as an active state of stepping forth into isolation or mental disengagement.

Etymology. viveka from vi- (apart, asunder) + √vic (to separate, sift); pa- intensifies the sense of deliberate withdrawal. No direct European cognate, but the prefix vi- relates to Latin dis- (divide) and English apart.

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

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