Acchara, Accharā: 3 definitions

Introduction:

Acchara means something in Buddhism, Pali, Jainism, Prakrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Acchara in Pali glossary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

accharā : (f.) 1. a nymph; 2. snapping of fingers; a short moment.

Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

1) Accharā, 2 (f.) (Vedic apsaras = āpa, water + sarati, orig; water nymph) a celestial nymph M.I, 253 (pl. accharāyo) II, 64; Th.2, 374 (= devaccharā ThA.252); J.V, 152 sq. (Alambusā a.) Vv 55 (= devakaññā VvA.37); Vv 172; 1811 etc.; DhA.III, 8, 19; PvA.46 (dev°); Miln.169; Sdhp.298. (Page 9)

2) Accharā, 1 (f.) (etym. uncertain, but certainly dialectical; Trenckner connects it with ācchurita (Notes 76); Childers compares Sk. akṣara (see akkhara); there may be a connection with akkhaṇa in akkhaṇa-vedhin (cp. BSk. acchaṭā Divy 555), or possibly a relation to ā + tsar, thus meaning “stealthily”, although the primary meaning is “snapping, a quick sound”) the snapping of the fingers, the bringing together of the finger-tips: 1. (lit.) accharaṃ paharati to snap the fingers J.II, 447; III, 191; IV, 124, 126; V, 314; VI, 366; DhA.I, 38, 424. — As measure: as much as one may hold with the finger-tips, a pinch J.V, 385; DhA.II, 273 (°gahaṇamattaṃ); cp. ekacchara-matta DhA.II, 274. — 2. (fig.) a finger’s snap, i. e. a short moment, in ek°acchara-kkhaṇe in one moment Miln.102, and in def. of acchariya (q. v.) at DA.I, 43; VvA.329.

Pali book cover
context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

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Prakrit-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary

1) Accharā (अच्छरा) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Apsaras.

Accharā has the following synonyms: Accharasā.

2) Accharā (अच्छरा) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Apsarā.

context information

Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.

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