noun adjective

1. (n.) gentleman, sire, lord master Ja.iii.167 = Pv-a.65; Dhp-a.i.8 (ayyā pl. the worthy gentlemen, the worthies), Dhp-a.i.13 (amhākaṃ ayyo our worthy sir); Dhp-a.ii.95
2. (adj.) worthy, gentlemanly, honourable Vin.ii.191; Dhp-a.ii.94 sq
   ■ The voc. is used as a polite form of address (cp. Ger. “Sie” and E. address “Esq.” like E. Sir, milord or simply “you” with the implication of a pluralis majestatis; thus voc. proper ayya Ja.i.221 Ja.i.279, Ja.i.308; pl. nom. as voc. ayyā in addressing several Ja.ii.128, Ja.ii.415; nom. sg. as voc. (for all genders & numbers); ayyo Vin.ii.215; Ja.iii.126, Ja.iii.127
   ■ f. ayyā lady mistress MN.ii.96 (= mother of a prince); Dhp-a.i.398 voc. ayye my lady Ja.v.138.

• -putta lit. son of an Ariyan, i.e. an aristocratic (young man gentleman (cp. in meaning kulaputta); thus a son of my master (lit.) said by a servant Ja.iii.167. b lord master, “governor” Ja.i.62 (by a servant); DN-a.i.257 (sāmi, opp. dāsi-putta); Pv-a.145 (by a wife to her husband); Dhp-a.ii.110. c prince (see W.Z.K.M. xii., 1898 75 sq. & Epigraphia Indica iii.137 sq.) Ja.vi.146.

contracted form for the diaeretic ariya (q.v. for etym.). See also ayira