Abhikkanta (adj. -- n.) [pp. of abhikkamati, in sense of Sk. and also P. atikkanta] (a) (adj.) lit. gone forward, gone out, gone beyond. According to the traditional expln. preserved by Bdhgh. & Dhp (see e. g. DA i.227 = KhA 114 = VvA 52) it is used in 4 applications: abhikkantasaddo khaya (+ pabbaniya KhA) sundarɔ -- âbhirūpa -- abbhanumodanesu dissati. These are: 1. (lit.) gone away, passed, gone out, departed (+ nikkhanta, meaning khaya "wane"), in phrase abhikkantāya rattiyā at the waning of the night Vin i.26; D ii.220; M i.142. 2. excellent, supreme (= sundara) Sn 1118 (˚dassāvin having the most exellent knowledge = aggadassāvin etc. Nd2 76); usually in compar ˚tara (+ paṇītatara) D i.62, 74, 216; A ii.101; iii.350 sq.; v.140, 207 sq.; DA i.171 (= atimanāpatara). 3. pleasing, superb, extremely wonderful, as exclamation ˚ŋ repeated with bho (bhante), showing appreciation (= abbhânumodana) D i.85, 110, 234; Sn p. 15, 24, etc. freq. 4. surpassing, beautiful (always with ˚vaṇṇa = abhirūpa) Vin i.26; D ii.220; M i.142; Pv ii.110 = Vv 91 (= atimanāpa abhirūpa PvA 71); KhA 115 (= abhirūpachavin). -- (b) (nt.) abhikkantaŋ (combd. with and opp. to paṭikkantaŋ) going forward (and backward), approach (and receding) D i.70 (= gamaṇa + nivattana DA i.183); Vin iii.181; A ii.104, 106 sq.; VvA 6.