धातुः: नम्
मूलधातुः: णम
धात्वर्थः: प्रह्वत्वे शब्दे च
गणः: भ्वादिः
कर्मकत्वं: अकर्मकः
इट्त्वं: सेट्
उपग्रहः: परस्मैपदी
रूपम्: नमति


नम m. ° = भक्तलोक, H 43, 67.


### 📜 Overview
The Sanskrit term "नम" (nam) primarily denotes the act of bowing, saluting, or showing respect. It is commonly used in various contexts, including religious and cultural practices of reverence. In its broader implications, it embodies values such as humility and respect towards others, often highlighted in texts and rituals.

### 🗣️ Pronunciation Guide
Nam (stress on "a").

### 🧠 Grammatical Profile
- **Word Type:** Verb, often used as a noun.
- **Gender:** Masculine, when referring to nouns derived from it.
- **Root (धातु):** The root is "णमँ" (nam), meaning 'to bow' or 'to salute'.
- **Compound (समास):** The word does not typically form compounds but can function within larger phrases and contexts indicating reverence, as in "नमस्कृत्य" (namaskṛtya), meaning 'having saluted'.

### 📖 Meanings
1. **Primary & Core Meanings (from Dictionaries):**
   - To bow or pay obeisance (नमति) (Wilson; शब्दसागरः).
   - To greet or salute respectfully (Monier-Williams; Yates).
   - To bend or show respect in physical form (Yates).

2. **Extended or Figurative Meanings (from Dictionaries):**
   - The term is also implied in actions of reverence beyond mere physical bowing, indicating spiritual or emotional submission (शब्दसागरः; Wilson).
   - In cultural contexts, it's used to represent humility or deference in interactions (Monier-Williams).

3. **Additional Meanings:**
   - In a broader philosophical sense, "नम" represents a state of surrender or humility towards the divine or sacred, often invoked in prayers and rituals.

### 🏗️ Etymology & Word Formation
The word "नम" derives from the root "णमँ" (nam), indicating an action associated with physical bending or bowing. There are no significant prefixes or suffixes involved, as it forms a simple root-based expression. The term can also evolve through different verb formations, showcasing various grammatical nuances such as passive or active participles.

### 🌐 Comparative Linguistics
- **Hindi:** नम (nam) - to bow, commonly used in the context of greetings and respect.
- **Bengali:** নমস্কার (nomoskar) - derived from "नम"," used to mean 'salutation' or 'greeting'.
- **Tamil:** நமஸ்காரம் (namaskāram) - a greeting that denotes respect.
- **Telugu:** నమస్కారం (namaskāram) - similar usage as in Hindi, indicating a salute or greeting.

### ✍️ Usage Examples
1. **From Dictionary Entries:**
   - नमति (namati) - "to bow" (Wilson).
   - नमयति (namayati) - "to bend" or "to bow" (Yates).

2. **Additional Examples (General Knowledge):**
   - "नमः शिवाय" (Namah shivaya) - "Salutations to Lord Shiva." This phrase is a common mantra found in various Hindu texts, exemplifying the use of "नम" in devotional contexts.

### 🖼️ Visual or Cultural Context
One of the most prominent cultural examples is the act of "नमस्कार" (namaskāra), commonly practiced in India, where individuals place their hands together and bow slightly, expressing gratitude and respect to others. This gesture is prevalent in yoga and spiritual practices, symbolizing reverence.

### ↔️ Dictionary Variations
Different dictionaries emphasize various aspects of the term "नम." For example, while both Wilson and शब्दसागरः focus on bowing and obeisance as primary meanings, Yates underscores the act of bending, which aligns with physical aspects of the word's root. Variations in definitions highlight the term's versatile application in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

### 🔄 Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
- **Synonyms:** प्रणाम (praṇāma - formal greeting), वन्दन (vandana - salutation).
- **Antonyms:** अपकार (apakāra - harm or disrespect).
- **Related Words:** नमस्कार (namaskār - a respectful salutation), नम्रता (namratā - humility).

náma, m., Weide, Weideplatz (?) [vgl. gr. νομό-ς, νέμ-ος].
-e [L.] gós {273,6}.


नमः, [स्] व्य, (नम शब्दनत्योः + भावेअसुन् ।) नतिः । इत्यमरः । ३ । ४ । १८ ॥
(यथा, मार्कण्डेये ।“नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
”क्लीवलिङ्गेऽपि दृश्यते । यथा, भागवते । ३ ।१३ । ४२ ।“विधेम चास्यै नमसा सह त्वयायस्यां स्वतेजोऽग्निमिवारणावधाः ॥
”)त्यागः । रुतम् । इत्युणादिकोषः ॥
 (क्ली,अन्नम् । इति निघण्टुः । २ । ७ ॥
 वज्रम् । इतिनिघण्टुः । २ । २० ॥
 स्तोत्रम् । यथा, ऋग्वेदे ।७ । १६ । १ ।“एना वो अग्निं नमसोर्जो नपातमा हुवे ॥
”)

INTERMEDIATE, Sanskrit to English, Cologne Edition

1. न॑म m. pasture-ground, RV. iii, 39, 6.


2. नम = °मस् in नम-उक्ति


नम r. 1st cl. (नमति) To bow, to pay obeisance. r. 10th cl. (नमयति-
नामयति) To bend, to bow: see णम ।


नम r. 1st cl. (नमति) To bow, to pay obeisance. r. 10th cl.
(नमयति-नामयति) To bend, to bow: see णम.


नम नमति 1.
a. To bow to. (क)
नमयति and नामयति 10.
a.


नम (nama)

शब्दसागरः

Capeller Eng

Yates

Wilson

Monier Williams Cologne

Schmidt Nachtrage zum Sanskrit Worterbuch

शब्दकल्पद्रुमः

Capeller

Grassman

Stchoupak