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yāvassu

sandhi (yāva + ssu)

1. so much so; to such an extent; to such an extreme degree

Built from

• yāva — root · as far as, as long as
  Related to Sanskrit yāvat and ultimately to the root meaning 'to join' (yoke). Expresses extent, duration, or limit.
• ssu — ending · if, when (conditional)
  Shortened form of ce, the conditional particle (Proto-Indo-European *kwe). Here it fuses with yāva to create a concessive sense of degree and hypothesis.

Analysis. yāva 'as far as, as long as' + ssu 'if', a conditional fusion: 'to whatever extent' or 'so long as'. The ssu particle is a shortened form of ce (if), making this a concessive or comparative construction expressing degree and condition.

Etymology. yāva is related to Sanskrit yāvat 'as far as, as long as', from a Proto-Indo-European root *yu̯ā- meaning 'to join, yoke'; cognate with Latin iugum 'yoke' and English yoke. The ssu/ce conditional particle represents Proto-Indo-European *kwe 'if'.

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

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