Latā (f.) [cp. Sk. latā, connected with Lat. lentus flexible; Ohg. lindi soft, E. lithe; also Ohg. lintea lime tree; Gr. e)la/th fir tree] 1. a slender tree, a creeping plant, creeper A i.202 (māluvā˚); Vv 355 (=vallī VvA 162); 474 (kosātakī l.); J i.464 (rukkha˚, here perhaps better "branch"); DhA i.392 (˚pasādhana: see under mahā˚); Miln 253, 351; VvA 12 (kappa˚); PvA 51, 121; Vism 183 (where the foll. kinds are given: lābu, kumbhaṇḍī, sāmā, kāḷavallī, pūtilatā). --nāga˚ the iron wood tree: see under nāga; pūti˚ a sort of creeper (q. v.). On latā in similes see J.P.T.S. 1907, 130. -- 2. (fig.) an epithet of taṇhā (greed), as much as it strangles its victim Dhs 1059, 1136; Nett 24, 121. -- 3. (fig.) streak, flash, in vijjul -- latā flash of lightning J i.103.

-- kamma creeper -- work (combd with mālā -- kamma) Vin ii.117, 152.