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upasampadaṁ

upasampadā

accusative singular feminine of upasampadā

1. higher ordination (of a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī)
2. formal admission to the monastic community

Built from

• upa — prefix · up close to, alongside
  Approach and proximity; as in upādāna (clinging, fuel taken up by fire). Cognates: Greek hypo-, Latin sub-, English up.
• sam — prefix · together, with
  Things brought into one; here emphasizing entry into the unified sangha. Cognates: English same, Latin con-.
• pad — root · go, step
  Motion and standing; the bhikkhu steps into monastic status. Cognate with Sanskrit padá and English foot.
• ā — ending · feminine noun marker
  Forms an abstract feminine noun; the accusative form -aṁ here marks the direct object of formal reception or undertaking.

Analysis. upa-sam-pad-ā: upa "up close to, alongside" + sam "together" + √pad "go, step" + -ā feminine noun ending. The compound evokes stepping up alongside and into the community of the ordained.

Etymology. The prefix pair upa-sam- combines approach (upa) with gathering together (sam), applied to the root √pad ("go, step"; related to Sanskrit padá, English foot). The concrete image is stepping forward into collective standing.

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

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