Lakshana
/ˈlʌkʃənə/noun
A distinguishing mark, characteristic, sign, or defining feature, especially in Indian philosophy, linguistics, and aesthetics.
Did you know?In Indian philosophical traditions, lakṣaṇa can mean a defining characteristic used to identify the essential nature of a thing—not merely its outward appearance.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European period
PIE
*lak-
“A proposed ancient root associated with perceiving, marking, or distinguishing; its reconstruction and connections are debated.”
Vedic Sanskrit
Sanskrit
lakṣ
“To perceive, notice, mark, or aim at.”
Classical Sanskrit
Sanskrit
lakṣaṇa (लक्षण)
“A mark, sign, characteristic, definition, or distinguishing feature.”
Middle Indo-Aryan period
Prakrit
lakkhaṇa
“A sign, characteristic, or auspicious indication.”
Medieval and modern South Asia
Hindi and related languages
lakṣaṇ / lakshan
“A characteristic, symptom, sign, or distinguishing trait.”
Modern English
English
lakshana
“A technical loanword for a defining mark, characteristic, or indirect sign in Indian philosophy and related disciplines.”