a bull; often fig as symbol of manliness and strength (cp. nisabha) DN.i.6 (˚yuddha bull-fight), DN.i.9 (˚lakkhaṇa signs on a b.), DN.i.127; Vin.iii.39 (puris˚ “bull of a man”, a very strong man) AN.i.188; AN.ii.207; AN.iv.41 sq., AN.iv.376; AN.v.347, AN.v.350; Snp.26 sq. Snp.416, Snp.646, Snp.684; Dhp.422; Ja.i.28 (Ja.v.203; ˚kkhandha broadshouldered), Ja.i.336; Ja.v.99 (bharatûsabha); Ja.vi.136; Pp.56 Vism.153 (˚camma, in simile); Dhp-a.i.396; Snp-a.226, Snp-a.333 Kp-a.144; Pv-a.163; Vv-a.85
■ The compn. forms of usabha are āsabha, isabha (in nisabha) & esabha (q.v.) The relations between usabha, vasabha & nisabha are discussed at Snp-a.40.
Vedic ṛṣabha; Av. aršan male, Gr. α ̓́ρσην, α ̓́ρρην masculine, to Idg. *eres & *rēs; to wet, sprinkle (with semen), as also in Sk. rasa juice, rasā wet, liquid, Lat rōs dew. A parallel root *ueres in Sk. varṣa rain, Gr ε ̓́ρση dew; Sk. vṛṣan & vṛṣabha bull