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vicikicchaṁ

vicikicchā

accusative singular feminine of vicikicchā

1. doubt, perplexity
2. wavering of mind
3. indecision

Built from

• vi — prefix · apart, asunder
  Intensifies the sense of mental division and wavering in different directions.
• cikicch — root · hesitate, deliberate
  The root captures the image of a mind unable to settle on one course of action.
• ā — ending · feminine nominative/abstract
  Nominalizes the root to form an abstract noun for the state of doubt.

Analysis. vi- (apart, in different directions) + cikicchā (hesitation); the prefix intensifies the sense of mental scattering and irresolution.

Etymology. From √cikits- (to hesitate, deliberate), with vi- prefix meaning

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

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