adjective by the ear, being at or on the ear of somebody, only in loc. as adv. upakaṇṇake secretly Vin.i.237; Vin.ii.99; Vin.iv.20, Vin.iv.271; SN.i.86; AN.iii.57; Snp-a.186; and in cpd. -jappin one who whispers into the ear (of another), spreader of reports AN.iii.136. Cp. kaṇṇajappaka & kaṇṇajappana.

upa + kaṇṇa + ka