As a Hindi name
का
marks the genitive case: -'s, of, belonging to; part of, originating from; made of, consisting of; worth, useful
कि
that
Platts (p. 888) also records: (dialec.) = ketā, or kitnā, qq.v
Śabdasāgara also records: केवड़ा
a Hindi word, a tadbhava: evolved from the Sanskrit through Prakrit कार्य — per Wiktionary’s etymology record
“Inherited from Old Hindi का (kā), कौ (kau), केरा (kerā), कर (kara), from Apabhramsa केर (kera) from Prakrit केर (kera), which could be used in conjunction with the genitive case to indicate relation or possession. Ultimately from Sanskrit कार्य (kāryá, “to be done”), whence also …” — per Wiktionary’s etymology record
kārya mfn. (fut. p.p. √ 1. kṛ), to be made or done or practised or performed, practicable, feasible, AV. iii, 24, 5; TS.; Mn. &c.
to be imposed (as a punishment), Mn. viii, 276 & 285
a Hindi word of Persian origin; it is not Sanskrit — per Wiktionary’s etymology record
“Borrowed from Classical Persian کِه (ki). Compare Gujarati કે (ke), Marathi की (kī), Punjabi ਕਿ (ki).” — per Wiktionary’s etymology record
As a Sanskrit word
Meaning
the tree Pandanus odoratissimus, &c.
Verified derivationMultiple readings (13)Why this matches what you typed
M3 · meaning shifts "ketaka" is derived from "keta" with the ka/kan suffix — a related word whose meaning shifts, so both meanings are shown.
keta m. (√ 4. cit) desire, wish, will, intention [‘wealth’, ‘atmosphere, sky’, Sāy.] RV.; VS.; TS.; ŚāṅkhŚr.
a house, abode, BhP.
ketaka m. the tree Pandanus odoratissimus, MBh.; R.; Megh. &c.
ketaka mf. (-kaḥ-kī) A fragrant plant, (Pandanus odoratissimus.) E. kiti to abide, ṇvul aff.
Dictionary citations
ketaka m. the tree Pandanus odoratissimus, MBh.; R.; Megh. &c.
ketaka mf. (-kaḥ-kī) A fragrant plant, (Pandanus odoratissimus.) E. kiti to abide, ṇvul aff.
keta m. (√ 4. cit) desire, wish, will, intention [‘wealth’, ‘atmosphere, sky’, Sāy.] RV.; VS.; TS.; ŚāṅkhŚr.
a house, abode, BhP.
Alternative readings
More than one analysis survives full verification. That ambiguity is real, so we show every reading rather than pick one silently.
Caveats
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