Proto-South Dravidian : *aḍu-
Meaning : to be fit
Tamil : aṭu (-pp-, -tt-)
Tamil meaning : to be fit, becoming, deserving
Tamil derivates : aṭaivu fitness, propriety, order, manner, course; (?) aṇṭu (aṇṭi-) to fit, be appropriate to
Malayalam : aṭukka
Malayalam meaning : to beseem, become [i. e. be becoming to], be proportionate to
Malayalam derivates : aṭavu regular custom, dexterity, perfection; aṭavi dexterity, cleverness
Kannada : aḍagu
Kannada meaning : the state of being fit, agreeableness, beauty
Kannada derivates : aḍavu suitableness, properness, proper way, the state of being sufficient; aṭṭu fitting, being becoming or proper; ? (Hav.) eḍi to be able to do
Notes : The origin of forms like Tam. aṭai-vu is unclear (a different verbal stem *aḍai-, not preserved by itself?). Tamil aṇṭu hardly belongs here; no other Dravidian language has a nasal in this root, so it may have been a secondary contamination with *aṇai- "to approach, come near".
Number in DED : 0078
