What is the meaning of the Sanskrit word sanskrit?

Answer 1

SaMskR^itaM[संस्कृतम् ] is one of the many names of the language. The others are gairvANIगैर्वाणी][, gIrvANavANI[गीर्वाणवाणी]. Some more derived words could be written to mean Sanskrit Language. In gaurvANI or gIrvANavANI the meaning turns out to be "The Language of the Gods"

The idea of calling Sanskrit the language of the gods is to say that it is defectless. For gods are supposed to know how to use everything the right way! Since the origins of Sanskrit are traceable to The Vedas considered as "the Breath of God" the language ought not to be faulty. Hence, the language as received is treated as perfect hence it is referred in later literature as "SamskR^itam" - The language of the Refined!

The name can be understood in comparison with the language of the ordinary people which was called PrakR^itams- the language as spoken in the heydey of Samskrit. The educated and cultured watched every word they used and hence used SamskR^tam.

The literal meaning of the word is "words that have been formed propperly as per the right rules applicable" in short without sacrificing the principles of Grammar.

Things are so strict in Sanskrit because it is considered that The Vedas are potent power hence words(of the Sanskrit Language) whose origin is traceable to The Vedas must be handled with care.