### 📜 Overview
The term "नला" (nalā) primarily signifies an entity that corresponds to "शतमान" (śatamāna), referring to a length measurement or unit in certain contexts. The word is relatively less prominent in classical Sanskrit literature but has specific technical applications.

### 🗣️ Pronunciation Guide
Na-lā (stress on "lā").

### 🧠 Grammatical Profile
- **Word Type:** Noun
- **Gender:** Feminine
- **Root (धातु):** Not explicitly mentioned in the entries.
- **Compound (समास):** Not applicable as "नला" is a simple word without listed compounds.

### 📖 Meanings
1. **Primary & Core Meanings (from Dictionaries):**
   - **Measurement Context:** Refers to "शतमान" (śatamāna), implying a unit of measurement (Indian Epigraphical Glossary).
   
2. **Extended or Figurative Meanings (from Dictionaries):**
   - There are no extended meanings provided in the sources. 

3. **Additional Meanings:**
   - In broader contexts, "नला" could also imply a channel or stream, deriving from common usages in various Indian languages, although this specific meaning is not referenced in the provided entries.

### 🏗️ Etymology & Word Formation
The etymology of "नला" is not explicitly outlined in the entries. However, it can be noted that it is derived from a Sanskrit root word related to measurement. The lack of detail regarding prefixes or suffixes suggests it remains a standalone noun.

### 🌐 Comparative Linguistics
- **Hindi:** नाला (nālā) - refers to a drainage or channel, showing a semantic shift towards water channels.
- **Bengali:** নালা (nālā) - similarly refers to a channel or drain.
- **Tamil:** நால (nāla) - while this word means four, the phonetic similarity hints at the influence of Sanskrit on Dravidian languages.

### ✍️ Usage Examples
1. **From Dictionary Entries:**
   - "नला, same as śatamāna." (Indian Epigraphical Glossary) - This sentence indicates that "नला" has a technical equivalence to a unit of measurement.
   
2. **Additional Examples (General Knowledge):**
   - "नला प्राणिनां जलं ददाति।" - "The channel provides water to living beings." (This illustrates the broader meaning of "nala" as a water channel.) 

### 🖼️ Visual or Cultural Context
The term "नला" can be culturally related to water conservation practices in India, where irrigation channels are vital for agriculture. Such channels are integral to rural life, emphasizing the significance of water management in cultivating crops.

### ↔️ Dictionary Variations
The entries indicate that "नला" is consistently associated with "śatamāna" across sources, suggesting a stable definition. No significant disparities are noted.

### 🔄 Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
- **Synonyms:** 
  - जलनाला (jalanālā) - water channel.
  - धारिका (dhārikā) - carrier or channel.
- **Antonyms:** 
  - बंजर (banjara) - barren land, as it lacks water channels.

This summary encapsulates the linguistic and cultural essence of "नला" as derived from the provided dictionary entries and general knowledge.

नला (nalA)

Indian Epigraphical Glossary