ยักษ์

From Sanskrit यक्ष (yakṣa, “yakṣa”). Cognate with យក្ស (yĕək); Lao ຍັກ (nyak) and Burmese ယက္ခ (yakhka.). Compare Pali yakkha, from which Thai ยักข์ (yák) is derived.

ยักษ์ • (yák)

1. (mythology) (classifier ตน) yakṣa, a kind of malevolent supernatural being, often depicted as having supernatural power, great strength, a very large stature, and a frightening appearance.
2. (mythology) (classifier ตน) similar being, as giant, ogre, etc.
3. (figurative, sometimes considered derogatory and offensive) person characteristic of a yakṣa, such as one who is malevolent or ruthless, has great strength, has a very large stature, or has a frightening appearance.
4. (figurative) someone or something of great importance, influence, or power in a particular field: tycoon, magnate, big shot, fat cat, etc.

ยักษ์ • (yák) (abstract noun ความยักษ์)

1. (figurative) very great (in size, quantity, degree, extent, importance, etc): giant; gigantic, titanic, colossal, etc.

• “ยักษ์” in Thai Dictionary Project (TDP) (UC Berkeley 1964) (plus additional data from the Royal Institute of Thailand (RI) and NECTEC's LEXITRON project (LEX)). Searchable online at SEAlang.net.