𑀢𑀁𑀩𑀧𑀁𑀦𑀺

𑀢𑀁𑀩𑀧𑀁𑀦𑀺

Ashokan Prakrit

Alternative forms

• 𑀢𑀁𑀩𑀧𑀁𑀡𑀺 (taṃbapaṃṇi), 𑀢𑀁𑀩𑀧𑀡𑀺 (taṃbapaṇi)

Etymology

Inherited from Sanskrit ताम्रपर्णी (tāmraparṇī); equivalent to *𑀢𑀁𑀩𑀼 (*taṃbu, “copper”) +‎ *𑀧𑀁𑀦 (*paṃna, “leaf”) +‎ -𑀇 (-i). Compare Pali tambapaṇṇī.

Proper noun

𑀢𑀁𑀩𑀧𑀁𑀦𑀺 (taṃbapaṃni) f

1. Sri Lanka (an island)

   Coordinate term: 𑀚𑀁𑀩𑀼𑀤𑀻𑀧 (jaṃbudīpa)

Usage notes

• Vincent A. Smith has suggested that this term refers to the Thamirabarani River in Tamil Nadu (compare Sanskrit ताम्रपर्णी (tāmraparṇī)),[1] but this identification is generally rejected.

Descendants

• → Ancient Greek: Ταπροβάνη (Taprobánē), Ταπροβανᾶ (Taprobanâ), Ταπροβανῆ (Taprobanê)
  • → Latin: Tāprobanē, Tāprobana
  • → Portuguese: Taprobana (learned)

References

1. Vincent A. Smith (1920), “The Rock Edicts”, in Asoka: The Buddhist Emperor of India, third edition, Oxford: Clarendon Press, page 162.