Bhante [would correspond either to Sk. *bhavantaḥ (with ending ˚e as Māgadhism for ˚aḥ)=bhavān, or to P. bhadanta. In both cases we have a contraction. The expln bhante=bhadante (bhadantaḥ) is advocated by Pischel, Prk. Gr. §§ 165, 366b, intimated also by Weber, Bhagavatī 156 n. 3 (unable to explain -- e); the expln bhante=bhavantah (see bhavaŋ) by Geiger, P.Gr. 983; hinted at by Weber loc. cit. (bhavantaḥ=bhagavantaḥ)] voc. of polite address: Sir, venerable Sir, used like bhadante. Either abs. as voc.: Vin i.76; D ii.154, 283; J ii.111; iii.46; Miln 19; or with another voc.: Miln 25; or with other oblique cases, as with nom. D i.179; DhA i.62. with gen. D i.179.