Word history

Monier-Williams (1899) records śikhara with the sense “peaks, summits”. Śikhara names a point or summit, including the top of a mountain or tree. The entry also extends the image to a pinnacle, turret or spire. शिखरे is a Marathi form in this word family. The range of senses explains a shared image of height without naming an original settlement. The lexical image extends from natural peaks to structures.

Sources: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899) · headword śikhara, page 1070, column 3, entry L216697

Literal dictionary sense

śikhara: Peaks, summits.

Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899) · headword śikhara, page 1070, column 3, entry L216697

Native-script forms

शिखरे · Devanagari

Sources and attribution

Dictionary senses and word histories are selected and adapted. Adapted lexical text is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. Linked Wiktionary entries provide contributor histories. Source register.