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sukhumaṁ

sukhumā

accusative singular neuter of sukhumā, adjective

1. subtle, fine, delicate
2. refined, rarefied

Built from

• su — prefix · well, good
  Marks excellence and ease. From Indo-European *su-, as in Greek eu- (eulogy). Here conveys refinement and fineness.
• khum — root · subtle, fine
  The root is opaque in Pali, but the adjective sukhumā is attested in early texts describing matter, sense-objects, and mental states that are subtle or barely perceptible.

Etymology. su- (well, good) + √hum (to cover, conceal — a rare root sense). The word builds on the notion of 'well-concealed' or 'finely drawn.' Cognate: English 'hum' (soft murmur). The prefix su- (English 'good,' Greek eu-) shifts the meaning toward positive qualities: that which is finely wrought, delicate, imperceptible to coarse perception.

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

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