sapinda

noun sa·pin·da \ səˈpində \

Definition of sapinda

plural -s

: a person considered in relation to any of his or her three or sometimes six nearest lineal male ancestors or descendants

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Origin and Etymology of sapinda

Sanskrit sapiṇḍa, literally, having the same lump, from sa- one and the same (akin to sama same) + piṇḍa lump of rice offered to deceased ancestors; from the fact that the lump is offered to the three nearest ancestors and the crumbs to the next three