as an isolated word, signifying-the physical nature or faculties of sex, probably occurs only in the Com. The expression itthibha^va and purisabha^va, with the meaning of 'being a man', or 'being a woman', or after n~atva^, etc., as for instance tassa^ itthibha^vam n~atva^: 'knowing her to be a woman': such expressions are often found in the oldest sutta texts.
出自：南传佛教英文辞典
