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sattiyāpi

satti

feminine noun, ablative/locative singular + emphatic particle

1. spear; javelin; weapon
2. power; strength; ability

Built from

• satti — root · spear; power
  From Sanskrit śakti via √śak 'to be strong, to be able'. The word originally denoted the thrust or force of a weapon, then broadened to mean power or capability in general.
• yā — ending · ablative/locative singular
  The feminine ablative-locative ending -yā marks the noun as the source, instrument, or location of an action; here it shifts satti into the oblique case.
• api — ending · emphatic; even, also
  Enclitic particle strengthening the preceding word and often implying 'even by this means' or 'even with this force'; it adds emphasis to the causal or instrumental sense.

Analysis. sattiyā (ablative/locative singular of satti, 'spear' or 'power') + api (emphatic particle 'even, also'). The compound emphasizes the instrumental or causal role: 'by means of a spear' or 'through power/strength' depending on context.

Etymology. satti derives from Sanskrit śakti, from the root √śak 'to be strong, to be able'. The cognate is English 'shake' (from Proto-Germanic *skak-), which shares the Indo-European root sense of vigor and sudden force. The concrete image is of wielding power or striking force, whether literal (a spear's blow) or abstract (capacity, strength).

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

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