Etymology of "phra"

[Guest]

There seem to be a handful of language enthusiasts out there, so here's a real hard one for them:

If there's one Thai word that's been vexing me quite a bit it's "phra" (monk). I've been trying to trace it back to Sanskrit or Pali, and there seem to be two possibilities.

"Phra" could be derived from "vrata" (oath), or from "vara" (meaning excellent, fine, superior).

Changes from p- or b-sounds to v, or vice versa, are fairly common in Sanskrit-related languages, so in theory everything is fine.

"Vara" seems the more likely source to me, especially since it appears pretty close to Khmer "vra", which is that language's equivalent of "phra". But I'm not yet entirely convinced.

Are there any Khmer speakers out there who know the etymology and exact meaning of "vra"?? (If it means "excellent" or someting similar, my problem is solved!)

Not that I expect the answers to come flying in by the second!

Anyhow, a million thanks in advance, SB.

[ July 14, 2001: Message edited by: Scum_Baggio ]