Māyā (f.) [cp. Vedic māyā. Suggestions as to etym. see Walde, Lat. Wtb. s. v. manticulor] 1. deceptive appearance, fraud, deceit, hypocrisy Sn 245, 328 (˚kata deceit), 469, 537, 786, 941 (: māyā vuccati vañcanikā cariyā Nd1 422); Vbh 357, 361, 389; Miln 289; Vism 106 (+sātheyya, māna, pāpicchatā etc.), 479 (māyā viya viññāṇaŋ); VbhA 34 (in detail), 85, 493 (def.). Is not used in Pali Abhidhamma in a philosophical sense. <-> 2. mystic formula, magic, trick M i.381 (āvaṭṭanī m.). khattiya˚ the mystic formula of a kh. J vi.375; Miln 190; DhA i.166. In the sense of "illusion" often combd with marīci, e. g. at Jii.330; v.367; Nd2 680a ii. -- 3. jugglery, conjuring Miln 3. -- On māyā in similes see J.P.T.S. 1907, 122; on term in general Dhs trsl.2 255 ("ilḷusion");Expos. 333, 468n. -- As adj. in amāya (q. v.) & in bahu -- māye rich in deceit SnA 351. -- Note. In the word maŋ at KhA 123 (in pop. etym. of man -- gala) the ed. of the text sees an acc. of mā which he takes to be a contracted form of māyā (=iddhi).

 -- kāra a conjurer, magician S iii.142; Vism 366 (in comparison); VbhA 196.