(& -ī) a carpenter builder, architect, mason. On their craft and guilds see Fick, Sociale Gliederung 181 sq.; Mrs. Rh. D Cambridge Hist. Ind. i.206
■ The word is specially characteristic of the Jātakas and other popular (later literature Ja.i.32, Ja.i.201, Ja.i.247; Ja.ii.170; Ja.vi.332 sq., Ja.vi.432 Tha-ap.51; Dhp-a.i.269; Dhp-a.iv.207; Vism.94; Pv-a.141; Mhbv.154
■ iṭṭha˚; a stonemason Mhvs.35, Mhvs.102; nagara˚; the city architect Mil.331, Mil.345; brāhmaṇa˚; a brahmin carpenter Ja.iv.207; mahā˚; chief carpenter, master builder Vism.463. In metaphor taṇhā the artificer lust Dhp-a.iii.128.

• -gāma a carpenter village Ja.ii.18, Ja.ii.405; Ja.iv.159.

cp. Epic & Class. Sk. vardhaki & vardhakin; perhaps from vardh to cut: see vaddheti