anna vid

 anna‑vid in Sanskrit means “one who knows food” or “one who acquires food,” depending on which sense of vid‑ is intended.

What the compound literally means

• anna = “food”
• vid = a root meaning either “to know” or “to acquire/obtain” depending on context

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Thus anna‑vid (अन्नविद्) is a tatpuruṣa compound meaning:

• “knowing food” (i.e., knowing the properties or nature of food), or
• “acquiring food” (i.e., one who obtains or procures food).

Both meanings are explicitly attested in the Sanskrit dictionary entry for annavid

Wisdom Library

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Attested definitions

According to the dedicated entry on Annavid

Wisdom Library

:

• “acquiring food” — Atharva‑veda 6.116.1 uses annavid in this sense.
• “knowing food” — an alternative interpretation based on √vid “to know.”

The entry notes that annavid is formed from anna + vid, and can be masculine, feminine, or neuter.

Understanding the root vid‑

The root vid‑ has several meanings in Sanskrit, including:

• “to know, understand” (Class 2 verb)

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• “to obtain, acquire” (Class 6 verb)

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Because both senses are classical and well‑attested, compounds with ‑vid can mean either “knower of X” or “acquirer of X.” This is why anna‑vid has two legitimate interpretations.

How the term is used

• In Vedic contexts (e.g., Atharva‑veda), annavid often means “one who acquires food”—a practical, livelihood‑related sense

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• In later Sanskrit, the sense “knower of food” (e.g., one who understands the qualities of food) is also possible, since vid‑ commonly means “to know”

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Summary

anna‑vid (अन्नविद्) can mean:

• “one who acquires food” (Vedic usage)
• “one who knows food / understands food” (based on √vid “to know”)

Both meanings are correct; the context determines which is intended.