apariṣkāra

 

In Sanskrit, apariṣkāra means “coarseness, lack of refinement, or

want of polish/finish,” in both a moral and physical sense.

Core Sanskrit Meaning

Apariṣkāra (अपरिष्कार) is defined as “coarseness, rudeness, want of polish

or finish (moral or physical)”

1

.

Monier‑Williams also gives the meaning “want of polish or finish”

1

.

• 

  

  2 Sources

Nuances and Usage

• The term can describe:
  • Moral roughness — lack of refinement in behavior or manners

    1
  • Physical roughness — something unpolished, unfinished, crude

    1
• It is formed from a‑ (negation) + pariṣkāra (“polish, refinement”), meaning
• literally “non‑refinement”

  1

  .
• 

  1 Source

Related Forms

• Apariṣkara / Apariṣkṛta are related forms with similar meaning (“unrefined,
• unpolished”)

  1

  .
• 

  1 Source

Cross‑linguistic Notes

• Hindi: apariṣkāra = non‑refinement, crudeness

  1
• Nepali: apariṣkara = want of polish/refinement; coarseness; rudeness

  1
• 

  1 Source

Summary

Apariṣkāra conveys the idea of lack of refinement, whether in manners,

speech, craftsmanship, or general character.