Know the Etymology: 277
Place Name of the Day: Saturday, 01 April 2017

Deṇiya, Teṇi

தெ₃ணிய, தெணி
Deṇiya, Teṇi

Deṇiya
Teṇi

The valley; or the muddy ground/ flood plain between high grounds

Deṇi	a muddy ground or cultivated field placed between high grounds; "Usbima atara pihiṭi maḍa bima" (Sinhala, Sorata); boat, canoe, "Oruva" (Sinhala, Sorata); Deṇiya: a level spot of cultivated ground, an irrigated field, open field (Sinhala, Clough); Deṇiya, Deṇi-kaḍa: a narrow valley running up between the spurs of a range of hills and cultivated with paddy; high ground as distinguished from low or marshy ground (Sinhala, Clough, Appendix); Deṇi-kaḍa: paddy field in a Deṇi ground, "Deṇikuṁbura" (Sinhala, Sorata); Deṇiya: marshy ground (Sinhala, Codrington); valley, glen (Sinhala, CDIAL 6644); a physiographic position on a river floodplain characterised by imperfect or poor drainage and a variety of associated trees, shrubs, and rushes (Sinhala, Madduma Bandara, 2009); 1. Drōṇī: valley (Sanskrit, CDIAL 6644); Dōṇī: hollow dug in the ground (Pali, CDIAL 6644); big pond (Prakrit, CDIAL 6644); Tōṇṭu: (verb) to dig, hollow, excavate, scoop out (Tamil, DED 3549); Tōṇi: boat (Tamil, Caṅkam diction, Akanāṉūṟu, 50: 1); mud (Tamil, Cūṭāmaṇi, 5: 28); 2. Taṇi: (verb) to lower in height, set lower (Tamil, MTL); Taṇivu: lowness as of height (Tamil, MTL); Ḻ/ Ṇ interchange; from Tāḻ: (verb) to fall low, be low, descend, to sink in water, be deep, droop, to become low (Tamil, DED 3178); Tāḻvu: depth as of a pit (Tamil, DED 3178); Tāruni: to sink in, plunge (Tulu, DED 3178); Taggu: low ground, dale, valley, descent declivity (Tulu, DED 3178); Tanṭ: below (Kolami, DED 3178); Tānēr: below (Gadba, DED 3178)
Deniya	variation of Deṇiya (Sinhala place names)
Teṇi	a toponymic component rarely found in Eezham Tamil place names, especially in Vaṭamarāṭci, Jaffna. Most probably corresponding to Deṇi. See box on Deṇi. Also see column 47 on Tōṉā in Batticaloa usage

Deṇiya is a popular Sinhala place-name component. But a clear definition is elusive in Sinhala dictionaries and in other descriptions (see box on Deṇi). The component is largely found in the place names of hilly terrain. The explanations and topographic examinations show that Deṇi basically means a low, wet ground between high grounds, where vegetation is found or cultivation is conducted.

Another meaning for Deṇi in Sinhala is a boat or canoe (Oruva).

Coming to etymology, Deṇi in Sinhala may correspond to Droṇi in Sanskrit meaning a valley. The meaning is found in some other IA languages too (CDIAL 6644). Deṇi meaning a boat also may correspond to Drōṇa in Rig Vedic Sanskrit meaning a wooden trough (CDIAL 6641). Dōṇī in Pali means a hollow dug in the ground as well as a wooden trough or roughly shaped canoe (CDIAL 6644, 6641). Tamil/ Dravidian also has a verb Tōṇṭu, meaning to dig, hollow, scoop out etc. (DED 3549), and a noun Tōṇi, used since Caṅkam times, to mean a boat. The word also meant mud in old Tamil.

In another etymological possibility, Deṇi in the sense of a low-lying land may correspond to the verb Taṇi in Tamil meaning to lower in height and the noun Taṇivu meaning lowness as of height (MTL). The words are related to the verb Tāḻ and the noun Talvu in Tamil/ Dravidian (Ḻ/ Ṇ interchange, DED 3178). See box for related cognates in other Dravidian languages.

In Eezham Tamil toponymic usage, Teṇi is noticed in a couple of place names confined to Vaṭamarāṭci in Jaffna. No hilly terrain is involved here, but the term seems to be meaning a flood plain in these contexts. In one example, Teṇiyampai (Teṇi-am-pāy), the use of 'Am' as empty phoneme (Cāriyai), to link Teṇi and Pāy is typical of Tamil morphology.

* * *

Deṇiya is a place in Ambalanthota division of Hambantota district.

Teṇi is in Vadamaratchi North (Point Pedro) division of Jaffna.

* * *

Some related place names:


Deṇi/ Deṇiya:

Maha-deṇiya: Kaduwela, Colombo

Ẹṁbilla-deniya: Kaduwela, Colombo

Did-deṇiya: Seethawaka, Colombo; Pujapitiya, Kandy; Ibbagamuwa, Kurunegala

Rat-mal-deṇiya: Kesbewa, Colombo

Koṭa-deṇiyāva: Divulapitiya, Gampaha

Diṁbul-deṇiya: Divulapitiya, Gampaha

Māla-deṇiya: Mirigama, Gampaha

Kīna-deṇiya: Mirigama, Gampaha. Kīna: a tree, Calophyllum tomentosa, Calophyllum walkeri (Clough); Kīna/ Kīṇa-doṁba: "Doṁba-gasa" (Sorata)

Kos-ẹṭa-deṇiya: Mirigama, Gampaha

Vē-vẹl-deṇiya: Mirigama, Gampaha; Baddegama, Galle

Koṭa-deṇiya: Mirigama, Gampaha

Hẹḍi-deṇi-kanda: Mirigama, Gampaha

Pẹpol-gas-deṇiya: Gampaha, Gampaha. Pẹpol: papaya fruit

Para-kan-deṇiya: Gampaha, Gampaha

Hīn-deṇiya: Attanagalla, Gampaha

Hāl-pan-deṇiya: Attanagalla, Gampaha

Idda-mal-deṇiya: Dompe, Gampaha

Ẹl-deṇiya: Mahara, Gampaha

Puňci-deṇiya: Panadura, Kalutara

Māra-gaha-deṇiya: Palindunuwara, Kalutara

Kannā-deṇiya: Thumpane, Kandy

Dehi-deniya: Thumpane, Kandy; Yatinuwara, Kandy

Baṭa-gollā-deniya: Pujapitiya, Kandy

Val-deṇiya: Pujapitiya, Kandy

Maḍa-deṇiya: Pujapitiya, Kandy

Varakā-deṇiya: Pujapitiya, Kandy

Mal-gaman-deṇiya: Akurana, Kandy

Val-pala-deṇiya: Pathadumbara, Kandy

Puvak-gaha-deṇiya: Pathadumbara, Kandy

Gala-deṇiya: Pathadumbara, Kandy

Līma-gaha-deṇiya: Pathadumara, Kandy. Līma-dehi: variety of lime tree, Citrus limetta (Clough)

Pihilla-deṇiya: Pathadumbara, Kandy

Āńḍi-deṇiya: Udadumbara, Kandy

Makul-deṇiya: Medadumbara, Kandy

Mā-deniyāvaka: Medadumbara, Kandy

Raň-deṇiya: Medadumbara, Kandy

Mẹṭi-deṇiya: Medadumbara, Kandy

Baṁbara-gaha-deṇiya: Medadumbara, Kandy

Goḍa-gan-deṇiya: Kandy Four Gravets, Kandy

Pallē-Pērā-deṇiya: Kandy Four Gravets, Kandy

Uḍa-pērā-deṇiya: Kandy Four Gravets, Kandy

Guru-deṇiya: Kandy Four Gravets, Kandy

Amu-vat-deniya: Harispattuwa, Kandy

Ala-deniya: Harispattuwa, Kandy

Hệ-deṇiya: Harispattuwa, Kandy

Koṇda-deṇiya: Harispattuwa, Kandy

Aḷu-deniya: Hatharaliyadda, Kandy

Murud-deniya: Hatharaliyadda, Kandy

Dehi-deṇiya: Hatharaliyadda, Kandy

Gōn-deṇiya: Yatinuwara, Kandy

Del-deṇiya: Yatinuwara, Kandy

Gaḍalā-deṇiya: Udunuwara, Kandy

Hēn-deṇiya: Udunuwara, Kandy

Pẹni-deniya: Udunuwara, Kandy

Gańgul-deṇiya: Udunuwara, Kandy

Iṁbul-deṇiya: Udunuwara, Kandy

Kaṁburā-deṇiya: Udunuwara, Kandy

Mī-vala-deṇiya: Udunuwara, Kandy

Kūra-deṇiya: Udunuwara, Kandy

Pallē-Aḷu-deṇiya: Udunuwara, Kandy

Nava-pērādeṇiya: Udunuwara, Kandy

Doḍam-deṇiya: Udunuwara, Kandy

Baṁbara-deṇiya: Udunuwara, Kandy

Vaṭa-deṇiya: Udunuwara, Kandy

Uḍa-aḷu-deṇiya: Udunuwara, Kandy

Hońḍiyā-deṇiya: Udunuwara, Kandy

Dẹl-deṇiya: Udunuwara, Kandy

Dihiṭi-deṇiya: Udunuwara, Kandy

Lẹgum-deṇiya: Doluwa, Kandy

Tun-deṇiya: Doluwa, Kandy

Paṁba-deniya: Doluwa, Kandy

Uḍu-deṇiya: Doluwa, Kandy; Pathahewaheta, Kandy

Maḍa-deniya: Pathahewaheta, Kandy; Yatawatta, Matale

Uḍu-deniya Maḍigē: Pathahewaheta, Kandy

Vẹṭakē-deṇiya: GI Korale, Kandy

Uḍu-deniya: Naula, Matale

Pal-deṇiya: Pallepola, Matale

Tẹṁbili-deniya: Yatawatta, Matale

Doḍam-deniya: Matale, Matale

Dēvāla-deniya: Laggala-Pallegala, Matale

Muvan-deṇiya: Rattota, Matale

Doṁba-gas-deṇiya: Ukuwela, Matale

Kaṭu-deniya: Ukuwela, Matale

Mī-deniya: Ukuwela, Matale

Duruvā-deṇiya: Kothmale, Nuwara Eliya

Mal-deṇiya: Kothmale, Nuwara Eliya

Dunukē-deniya: Kothmale, Nuwara Eliya

Hapu-gas-deniya: Hanguranketha, Nuwara Eliya

Deṇiya-gama: Hanguranketha, Nuwara Eliya

Ram-pā-deṇiya: Ambagamuwa, Nuwara Eliya

Minu-van-deṇiya: Ambagamuwa, Nuwara Eliya

Kala-vẹl-deṇiya: Ambagamuwa, Nuwara Eliya

Karan-deṇiya: Karandeniya, Galle

Ran-deṇi-gama: Karandeniya, Galle

Vāru-kan-deṇiya: Neluwa, Galle

Gōna-deṇiya: Nagoda, Galle

Kohoṁbanā-deṇiya: Baddegama, Galle

Kāsi-deṇiya: Baddegama, Galle

Nalā-gas-deṇiya: Hikkaduwa, Galle

Raṇa-panā-deṇiya: Hikkaduwa, Galle

Maga-deṇiya: Bope-Poddala, Galle

Pẹṇi-deniya: Bope-Poddala, Galle

Nila-deṇiya: Bope-Poddala, Galle

Nākiyā-deṇiya: Yakkalamulla, Galle

Gahala-kola-deṇiya: Yakkalamulla, Galle

Ala-palā-deṇiya: Pitabeddara, Matara

Ela-mal-deniya: Pitabeddara, Matara

Āḍāra-deṇiya: Kotapola, Matara. Āḍāra: probably, Āńḍāra: water-eroded pit, "Jalayēn hệruṇu vaḷa"; opening in a dam to let off water, "Vakkaḍa"; place where trees etc., grow, "Gasvẹl gahana vū tẹna" (Sorata)

Deniyāya: Kotapola, Matara

Kūḍaḷu-deṇiya: Kotapola, Matara

Kẹkun-deniya: Pasgoda, Matara

Pot-deniya: Pasgoda, Matara

Did-deni-pota: Mulatiyana, Matara

Idi-kaṭu-deniya: Akuressa, Matara

Deni-piṭiya: Welipitiya, Matara

Nāran-deniya: Kamburupitiya, Matara

Rassan-deniya: Matara Four Gravets, Matara

Dan-deniya: Dickwella, Matara

Beli-deniya: Dickwella, Matara

Deniya: Ambalantota, Hambantota

Dan-deni-gama: Angunukolapelessa, Hambantota

Makula-deniya: Angunakolapelessa, Hambantota

Ihala Gōna-deniya: Weeraketiya, Hambantota

Pahala Gōna-deniya: Weeraketiya, Hambantota

Aḷu-pot-deniya: Katuwana, Hambantota

Gańgulan-deniya: Katuwana, Hambantota

Mid-deniya: Katuwana, Hambantota

Mīmaṇa-kola-deniya: Katuwana, Hambantota

Ōbaḍa-gaha-deniya: Katuwana, Hambantota

Kẹrệ-deniya: Walasmulla, Hambantota

Kaṇu-mul-deniya: Okewela, Hambantota

Uḍa-deniya: Okewela, Hambantota

Aṁba-gas-deniya: Beliatta, Hambantota

Ẹl-deniya: Beliatta, Hambantota

Vithāran-deniya: Tangalle, Hambantota

Bakmī-deṇiya: Dehiattakandiya, Ampara

Mora-deniya: Padiyathalawa, Ampara

Daṁba-deṇiya: Narammala, Kurunegala; Mahaoya, Ampara

Vikā-deṇi-gama: Ehetuwewa, Kurunegala

Ran-deṇi-gama: Nikaweratiya, Kurunegala

Pā-deniya: Wariyapola, Kurunegala

Ran-deniya: Wariyapola, Kurunegala

Meḷa-deṇiya: Bingiriya, Kurunegala

Riṭṭā-deṇiya: Panduwasnuwara West, Kurunegala

Mūṇa-mal-deṇiya: Panduwasnuwara West, Kurunegala

Ẹpala-deṇiya: Panduwasnuwara West, Kurunegala

Kos-deṇiya: Panduwasnuwara East, Kurunegala

Pẹllan-deṇiya: Maspotha, Kurunegala

Ala-kola-deniya: Kurunegala, Kurunegala

Para-gaha-deṇiya: Mawathagama, Kurunegala

Gōna-gal-deṇiya: Mawathagama, Kurunegala

Malan-deṇiya: Mawathagama, Kurunegala

Gōṇa-deṇiya: Rideegama, Kurunegala

Kaṇa-deniyā-vala: Rideegama, Kurunegala

Koṭa-deniyāva: Kuliyapitiya East, Kurunegala

Piṭa-deṇiya: Kuliyapitiya West, Kurunegala

Kaha-deni-gama: Udubaddawa, Kurunegala

Dunaka-deniya: Udabaddawa, Kurunegala

Uḍa-deniya: Udubaddawa, Kurunegala

Bibilā-deṇiya: Udubaddawa, Kurunegala

Pus-kola-deṇiya: Narammala, Kurunegala

Ẹpala-deniya: Narammala, Kurunegala

Lev-deṇiya: Alawwa, Kurunegala

Mal-deṇiya: Alawwa, Kurunegala

Gal-deṇiya: Alawwa, Kurunegala

Vē-deṇiya: Alawwa, Kurunegala

Uḍukē-deṇiya: Polgahawela, Kurunegala

Baňga-deṇiya: Arachchikattuwa, Puttalam

Ilippa-deniya: Chilaw, Puttalam

Dummala-deṇiya: Wennappuwa, Puttalam

Upul-deṇiya: Galenbindunuwewa, Anuradhapura,

Ran-deni-gama: Rajanganaya, Anuradhapura

Mal-deni-pura: Kekirawa, Anuradhapura

Gōna-deniyā-gama: Palagala, Anuradhapura

Mal-deniya: Dimbulagala, Polonnaruwa, Polonnaruwa

Tal-deṇi-yāya: Mahiyanganaya, Badulla

Aň-deṇiya: Badulla, Badulla

Kollā-deniya: Madulla, Moneragala

Piṭa-deṇiya: Medagama, Moneragala

Rattana-deniya: Medagama, Moneragala

Raň-deṇiya: Wellawaya, Moneragala

Ran-deni-goḍa-yāya: Wellawaya, Moneragala

Mīyana-deṇiya: Eheliyagoda, Ratnapura

Naḍukāra-deṇiya: Kuruvita, Ratnapura

Ẹṁbul-deṇiya: Ratnapura, Ratnapura

Pan-deṇiya: Imbulpe, Ratnapura

Dan-deniya: Opanayake, Ratnapura

Hapuru-deṇiya: Godakawela, Ratnapura

Mẹda-gala-deniya: Rambukkana, Kegalle

Uḍa-gala-deniya: Rambukkana, Kegalle

Goḍa-gan-deniya: Rambukkana, Kegalle

Iṁbul-gas-deniya: Rambukkana, Kegalle

Vaḍuvā-deniya: Rambukkana, Kegalle

Kiri-van-deniya: Rambukkana, Kegalle

Yaṭi-val-deniya: Rambukkana, Kegalle

Del-deniya: Rambukkana, Kegalle

Kōn-deṇiya: Mawanella, Kegalle

Kiriňga-deniya: Mawanella, Kegalle

Aṁba-deniya: Mawanella, Kegalle

Ruvan-deniya: Aranayake, Kegalle

Dul-deṇiya: Aranayake, Kegalle

Puvak-deṇiya: Kegalle, Kegalle

Vệ-vala-deniya: Kegalle, Kegalle

Val-deniya: Kegalle, Kegalle

Bulu-gaha-deniya: Kegalle, Kegalle

Mī-deṇiya: Kegalle, Kegalle

Āsi-deniya: Galigamuwa, Kegalle

Potu-koḷa-deniya: Galigamuwa, Kegalle

Piň-deniya: Galigamuwa, Kegalle

Nā-deniya: Galigamuwa, Kegalle

Hapu-deniya: Galigamuwa, Kegalle

Vad-deniya: Warakapola, Kegalle

Nelum-deṇiya: Warakapola, Kegalle

Dummala-deṇiya: Warakapola, Kegalle

Tal-gaga-deṇiya: Warakapola, Kegalle

Kohoṁba-deniya: Warakapola, Kegalle

Piṭa-deniya: Warakapola, Kegalle

Kivul-deniya: Warakapola, Kegalle

Ela-mal-deṇiya: Warakapola, Kegalle

Maha-deniya: Ruwanwella, Kegalle

Dunukē-deṇiya: Yatiyanthota, Kegalle

Pod-deni-kanda: Deraniyagala, Kegalle

* * *


Teṇi: (Tamil)

Teṇiyampai: Teṇi+am+pāy: Valveṭṭittuṟai, Jaffna (Balasundaram, p. 93); the expanse of the shallow ground; note the use of the Tamil empty morpheme, 'Am' (Cāriyai), between Teṇi and Pāy, which shows that the people who had coined the place name had treated Teṇi as a word natural to their Tamil usage.

Ūriḻaiyāṉ-teṇi: Valveṭṭittuṟai, Jaffna (Balasundaram. P. 93)

* * *


Revised: Saturday, 01 April 2017, 16:20

First published: Friday, 23 August 2013, 19:49