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appeva

api

ind. (sandhi form: api + eva)

1. api (ind): just; only
2. api (ind): even; even then
3. api (ind): if; even if
4. api (ind): have?; did?; was?; perhaps?
5. api (ind): but; however; yet
6. api (ind): yes; surely; indeed
7. api (ind): too; also; as well
8. api (prefix): on; onto
9. …

Built from

• api — root · even; if; also
  A polysemous particle; its exact origin is debated, but it appears in Sanskrit with similar range of meanings.
• eva — root · just; only; indeed
  An emphasizing particle, possibly derived from √i 'to go', with the sense of directness or precision; often used to mark focus or exclusivity.

Analysis. api + eva (sandhi: api before eva → appeva). api is a polysemous particle meaning 'even', 'also', 'if', or 'just'; eva is an emphasizing particle meaning 'just', 'only', 'indeed'. Together appeva strengthens the meaning: 'just', 'only', 'merely' or 'even then', 'even so'.

Etymology. api is of uncertain origin, possibly related to Sanskrit api (also, even, if). eva is likely cognate with Sanskrit eva, related to the root √i 'to go', giving the sense of 'going straight to the point', hence 'just', 'only', 'indeed'.

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

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