anatta

From Pali anattan, from Sanskrit अनात्मन् (anātman, “no soul”), from अन्- (an-, “non-, un-, a-”) + आत्मन् (ātman, “soul”).

• Rhymes: -ætə

anatta (countable and uncountable, plural anattas)

1. (Buddhism) The idea that there is no separate self or soul; egolessness. One of the three marks of existence.
   • 2009, Karen Armstrong, The Case for God, Vintage, published 2010, page 33:

     The texts indicate that when the Buddha's first disciples heard about anatta, their hearts were filled with joy and they immediately experienced Nirvana.

• egolessness

anatta (countable and uncountable, plural anattas)

1. Archaic form of annatto.