Apahnuti: 11 definitions
Introduction:
Apahnuti means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Hindi. 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Apahanuti.
In Hinduism
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Source: Shodhganga: Mankhaka a sanskrit literary genius (natya)Apahnuti (अपह्नुति, “concealment”) refers to a type of Alaṃkāra (figure of speech).—The denial of the real nature of a thing and the ascription of an alien, or imaginary character, constitute the figure Apahnuti or concealment. Again, if having somehow given expression to some secret object, one should construe his words differently, either by a paronomasia or otherwise, it too is Apahnuti

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).
Kavyashastra (science of poetry)
Source: Shodhganga: The Kavyavilasa of Ciranjiva Bhattacarya (kavyashastra)Apahnuti (अपह्नुति) refers to one of the 93 alaṃkāras (“figures of speech”) mentioned by Cirañjīva Bhaṭṭācārya (fl. 17th century) in his Kāvyavilāsa and is listed as one of the 89 arthālaṃkāras (figure of speech determined by the sense, as opposed to sound).—The figure apahnuti has been firstly admitted by Bhāmaha in his Kāvyālaṃkāra (III/20). The successors of Bhāmaha like Udbhaṭa (V/03), Rudraṭa (VIII/57), Vāmana (IV/3.5) have admitted it. Modern Ālaṃkārikas like Mammaṭa (X/96), Ruyyaka (A.S.P. 50), Viśvanātha (X/55), Jayadeva (V/24) etc. have discussed this figure.
According to Cirañjīva, when an actual thing is suppressed for the superimposition of a false object, it is called apahnuti. In apahnuti the attributes of an actual thing are denied first and then the attributes of a false object is superimposed. So it is different from rūpaka. There is no denial in the case of the figure rūpaka. Cirañjīva is greatly influenced by the definition of apahnuti given by Jayadeva in his Candrāloka.
Example of the apahnuti-alaṃkāra:—
candre kalaṅkaṃ kathayanti mūḍhā vayaṃ vadāmo’mṛtamātralobhāt |
tadraśmisūtrāntapathena gatvā pipīlikā cumvati candrabimbam ||“Those who speak of the scar on the moon are fools, rather we say that the ants are kissing the luner orb moving through the path in the form of the rays of the moon due to their greed for only nectar”.
Notes: In this verse it has been stated that those who consider the visible black signs in the moon as scars are wrong. In fact the black spot in the moon are nothing but ants who have gone to kiss the moon due to their greed for nectar. Here actual thing is the scar on the moon. It has been denied and the kissing of ants which is not real is superimposed. Cirañjīva adds that the singular number in the word pipīlikā in the above cited verse suggests not a single ant but ants due to the fact that sometimes a genus is hinted by the singular number.

Kavyashastra (काव्यशास्त्र, kāvyaśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian tradition of poetry (kavya). Canonical literature (shastra) of the includes encyclopedic manuals dealing with prosody, rhetoric and various other guidelines serving to teach the poet how to compose literature.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryApahnuti (अपह्नुति).—f.
1) Concealment of knowledge, denial.
2) (In Rhet.) A figure of speech, in which the real character of the thing in question is denied and that of another (alien or imaginary) object is ascribed to, or superimposed upon, it; प्रकृतं यन्निषिध्यान्यत्साध्यते सा त्वपह्नुतिः (prakṛtaṃ yanniṣidhyānyatsādhyate sā tvapahnutiḥ) K. P.1; (upameyamasatyaṃ kṛtvā upamānaṃ satyatayā yatsthā- pyate sā'pahnutiḥ) e. g. नेदं नभोमण्डलमम्बुराशिर्नौताश्च तारा नवफेनभङ्गाः । नायं शशी कुण्डलितः फणीन्द्रो नासौ कलङ्कः शयितो मुरारिः (nedaṃ nabhomaṇḍalamamburāśirnautāśca tārā navaphenabhaṅgāḥ | nāyaṃ śaśī kuṇḍalitaḥ phaṇīndro nāsau kalaṅkaḥ śayito murāriḥ) || see also K. P.1 and S. D.683-84.
Derivable forms: apahnutiḥ (अपह्नुतिः).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryApahnuti (अपह्नुति).—f.
(-tiḥ) 1. Denial or concealment of knowledge. 2. A figure of rhetoric, applying a description or simile to other than its obvious application. E. apahnuṅ and ktin aff.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English DictionaryApahnuti (अपह्नुति):—[=apa-hnuti] [from apa-hnu] f. ‘denial, concealment of truth’, using a simile in other than its true or obvious application, [Kāvyaprakāśa; Sāhitya-darpaṇa]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Goldstücker Sanskrit-English DictionaryApahnuti (अपह्नुति):—[tatpurusha compound] f.
(-tiḥ) 1) Denial, concealment of knowledge.
2) (In Rhetoric.) A figure of speech, one of the alaṃkāras or modes of elegant expression, viz. with two varieties, each comprising again two subdivisions: [a.]) a hidden comparison, the simile being expressed by way of negation or denial, and that part of the sentence which contains the negation or the denial either preceding or following the object of comparison, e. g. (preceding) nedaṃ nabhomaṇḍalamamburāśirnaitāśca tārā navaphenabhaṅgāḥ &c.; or (following) etadvibhāti caramācalacūḍacumbihiṇḍīrapiṇḍaruciśītamarīcibimbam . ujjvālitasya rajanīṃ madanānalasya dhūmaṃ dadhatprakaṭalāñchanakaitavena; comp. also antargatopamā; [b]) a covert expression, the intended sense being conveyed either by way of a pun or by some other artful mode of language; e. g. (by way of a pun) kāle vāridharāṇāmapatitayā naiva śakyate sthātum . utkaṇṭitāsi tarale na hi na hi sakhi vicchilaḥ panthāḥ (where the intended sense is conveyed by the double etymology of apatitā (apati, taddh. aff. tal or a-patitā (from pat, kṛt aff. kta); or (by allusion) iha puronilakampitavigrahā milati kā na vanaspatinā latā . smarasi kiṃ sakhi kāntaratotsavaṃ na hi ghanāgamarītirudāhṛtā ... Comp. also vakrokti. E. hnu with apa, kṛt aff. ktin.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryApahnuti (अपह्नुति):—[apa-hnuti] (tiḥ) 2. f. Idem.
[Sanskrit to German]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
Hindi dictionary
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionaryApahnuti (अपह्नुति) [Also spelled apahanuti]:—(nf) concealment (a figure of speech).
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusApahnuti (ಅಪಹ್ನುತಿ):—[noun] (rhet.) a fig, of speech, in which the real character of the thing in question is denied and that of another (alien or imaginary) object is attributed to or superimposed upon it.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Full-text: Shuddhapahnuti, Chekapahnuti, Apahnava, Kaitavapahnuti, Avanuti, Apahanuti, Apatita, Antargatopama, Bhrantapahnuti, Paryastapahnuti, Alamkara.
Relevant text
Search found 14 books and stories containing Apahnuti, Apa-hnuti; (plurals include: Apahnutis, hnutis). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana (by Gaurapada Dāsa)
Text 10.180 < [Chapter 10 - Ornaments of Meaning]
Text 10.59 [Apahnuti] < [Chapter 10 - Ornaments of Meaning]
Text 4.70 < [Chapter 4 - First-rate Poetry]
Alamkaras mentioned by Vamana (by Pratim Bhattacharya)
5: Definition of Apahnuti Alaṃkāra < [Chapter 4 - Arthālaṃkāras mentioned by Vāmana]
1-2: The number of Alaṃkāras (poetic figures) mentioned < [Chapter 5 - A Comparative study of the different alaṃkāras mentioned by Vāmana]
24: Definition of Vyājokti Alaṃkāra < [Chapter 4 - Arthālaṃkāras mentioned by Vāmana]
The backdrop of the Srikanthacarita and the Mankhakosa (by Dhrubajit Sarma)
Part 5m - Alaṃkāra (13): Apahnuti or concealment < [Chapter III - Literary Assessment Of The Śrīkaṇṭhacarita]
Part 5b - Alaṃkāra (2): Utprekṣā or poetical fancy < [Chapter III - Literary Assessment Of The Śrīkaṇṭhacarita]
Part 1 - Rīti or the style < [Chapter III - Literary Assessment Of The Śrīkaṇṭhacarita]
Mudrarakshasa (literary study) (by Antara Chakravarty)
3.4a. Arthālaṃkāras (Alaṃkāras that depend upon the meanings of words) < [Chapter 3 - Use of Alaṃkāras in Mudrārākṣasa]
Shishupala-vadha (Study) (by Shila Chakraborty)
Knowledge of Rhetoric (Alaṃkāra) in the Śiśupālavadha < [Introduction]
Arts in the Puranas (study) (by Meena Devadatta Jeste)
8. The Dhvani theory in Kavya < [Chapter 6 - Literature in the Puranas]
7. Alankaras (Embellishments or Ornaments) < [Chapter 6 - Literature in the Puranas]