Elementary Greek Grammar: PART III: FORMATION OF WORDS

1. (Simple and Compound Words.) A simple word is formed from a single stem; as λόγος (stem λεγ-), speech, γράφω (γραφ-), write. A compound word is formed by combining two or more stems; as λογο-γράφος (λογο-, γραφ-), writer of speeches.

2. (Verbals and Denominatives.)

(a) When a noun or adjective is formed directly from a root (§ 32, Note), or from a stem which appears as the stem of a verb, it is called a verbal or primitive; as ἀρχή (stem ἀρχα-), beginning, formed from ἀρχ-, stem of ἄρχω; γραφεύς (γραφευ-), writer, γραφίς (γραφιδ-), style (for writing), γραμμή (γραμμα- for γραφ-μα), line, (3, N. 2), γράμμα (γραμματ-), written document, γραφικός (γραφικο-), able to write, all from γραφ-, stem of γράφω, write; ποιη-τής, poet (maker), ποίη-σις, poesy, ποίη-μα, poem, ποιη-τικός, able to make, from ποιε-, stem of ποιέω, make: so δίκη (δικα-), justice, from the root δικ-, κακός, bad, from κακ-. See § 128, 3.

(b) When a noun, adjective, or verb is formed from the stem of a noun or adjective, it is called a denominative or derivative; as βασιλεία, kingdom, from βασιλε(υ)- (§ 53, 3, N. 1); ἀρχαῖος, ancient, from ἀρχα- (stem of ἀρχή); δικαιο-σύνη, justice, from δικαιο-; τιμά-ω, honor, from τιμα-, stem of the noun τιμή.

NOTE. The name verbal is applied to the primitive words in (a) because generally their root or stem actually occurs as a verb stem. This, however, does not show that the noun (or adjective) is derived from the verb, but merely that both have the same root or stem. [1] The name applies even to nouns or adjectives derived from a verb stem which is itself derived from a noun stem (2, b); as αὐλητής, flute-player, from αὐλε-, the stem of αὐλέω, play the flute; the latter, however, is formed from the stem of αὐλό-ς, flute (§ 130, N. 2).

[1]: The root γραφ- contains only the general idea write, not as yet developed into a noun, adjective, or verb. By adding α it becomes γραφα-, the stem of the noun γραφή, a writing, which stem is modified by case-endings to γραφαί, γραφάς, etc. (§ 45, 2, Note). By adding ο or ε (the so-called connecting vowel, § 112, 4) it is developed into γραφο(ε)-, the full form of the present stem of the verb γράφω, write, which is modified by personal endings to γράφομεν, we write, γράφετε, ye write, etc.

3. (Suffixes.) Roots or stems are developed into new stems by the addition of syllables (not themselves stems) called suffixes. Thus in § 128, 2, final α- in ἀρχα-; ευ- in γραφευ-, ιδ- in γραφιδ-, μα- in γραμμα-, ματ- in γραμματ-, ικο- in γραφικο-, &c. are suffixes.

NOTE 1. Rarely a noun stem has no suffix, and is identical with the verb stem; as in φύλαξ, a guard, from stem φυλακ-, seen also in φυλάσσω, I guard (§ 108, IV.).

NOTE 2. The final consonant of a stem is subject to the same euphonic changes before a suffix as before an ending (§ 16); as in γράμ-μα for γραφ-μα (§ 16, 3), λέξις for λεγ-σις (§ 16, 2), δικασ-τής for δικαδ-της (§ 16, 1).

NOTE 3. A final vowel of the stem may be contracted with a vowel of the suffix; as in ἀρχαῖος, ancient, from ἀρχα- and ιο-ς (§ 129, 12). But such a vowel is sometimes dropped, as in οὐράν-ιος, heavenly, from οὐρανο- and ιο-ς, βασιλ-ικός, kingly, from βασιλε(υ)- and ικο-ς. The vowel is sometimes changed; especially from ο to ε in denominative verbs (§ 130, N. 2), as in οἰκέ-ω, dwell (οἶκο-ς, house); cf. οἰκέ-της, house-servant, and οἰκεῖος (οἰκε-ιος, § 129, 12), domestic; sometimes from α to ω, as in στρατιώ-της, soldier (στρατια-), Σικελιώ-της, Sicilian (Σικελια-).

NOTE 4. Many vowel stems (especially verb stems) lengthen their final vowel before a consonant of the suffix, as in verbs (§ 109, 1); as ποίη-μα, ποίη-σις, ποιη-τικός, ποιη-τής, from ποιε-. Many add σ before μ and τ of a suffix, as in the perfect and aorist passive (§ 109, 2); as κελευ-σ-τής, commander, κέλευ-σ-μα, command, from κελευ- (κελεύω), κεκέλευ-σ-μαι.

NOTE 5. In many verbal nouns and adjectives, especially those in ος and η, the interior vowel of the stem is lengthened or otherwise modified, as it is in the second perfect (§ 109, 3). A change of ε to ο is especially common. Thus λήθη, forgetfulness, from λαθ- (cf. λέληθα); γόνος, offspring, from γεν- (cf. γέγονα); λοιπός, remaining, from λιπ- (cf. λέλοιπα); στοργή, affection, from στεργ- (cf. ἔστοργα); πομπή, sending, from πεμπ- (cf. πέπομφα, § 109, 3, N. 2); τρόπος, turn, from τρεπ-; φλόξ, flame, gen. φλογός, from φλεγ-. So also in adverbs; see συλ-λήβ-δην, § 129, 18, (b).

The chief suffixes by which the stems of nouns, adjectives, and adverbs are formed are as follows:

NOUNS.

1. The simplest and most common suffixes are ο- (nom. ος or ον) and α- (nom. α or η). Nouns thus formed have a great variety of meanings; as λόγο-ς (λογ-ο-), speech, from λεγ- (stem of λέγω, § 128, 3, N. 5); μάχ-η (μαχ-α-), battle, from μαχ- (stem of μάχομαι, fight); τρόπος, turn, from τρεπ- (stem of τρέπω, turn); στόλος, expedition, στολή, equipment, from στελ- (stem of στέλλω, send).

2. (Agent.) The following suffixes denote the agent in verbals, and the person concerned with anything in denominatives:

(a) ευ- (nom. εύς): γραφ-εύ-ς, writer, from γραφ- (γράφω); γον-εύ-ς, parent, from γεν-; ἱππ-εύ-ς, horseman, from ἱππο- (ἵππος); πορθμ-εύ-ς, ferryman (πορθμό-ς, ferry). See § 128, 3, Notes 3 and 5.

NOTE. A few nouns in ευς have feminines in εια (with recessive accent, § 25, 1, N.); as βασίλεια, queen (cf. 3, N. 2).

(b) τηρ- (nom. τήρ): σωτήρ, saviour, from σω- (σάω, σώζω, save).

τορ- (nom. τωρ): ῥήτωρ, orator, from ῥε- (ἐρέω, ἐρῶ, shall say).

τα- (nom. της): ποιητής, poet (maker), from ποιε- (ποιέω); ὀρχηστής, dancer, from ὀρχε- (ὀρχέομαι, dance); ἱππότης, horseman, from ἱππο- (ἵππος, horse).

To these correspond the following feminine forms:

• τειρα- (nom. τειρα): σώτειρα, fem. of σωτήρ.
• τρια- (nom. τρια): ποιήτρια, poetess; ὀρχήστρια, dancing-girl.
• τριδ- (nom. τρίς): ὀρχηστρίς, dancing-girl, gen. -ίδος.
• τιδ- (nom. τις): προφῆτις, prophetess; οἰκέτις, female servant.

NOTE. Verbals in τηρ and τρις are oxytone: those in τωρ, τρια, and τειρα have recessive accent (§ 25, 1, N.).

3. (Action.) These suffixes denote action (in verbals only):

• τι- (nom. τις, fem.): πίσ-τις, belief, from πιθ- (πείθω, believe).
• σι- (nom. σις, fem.): λύ-σις, loosing, from λυ- (λύω).
• σια- (nom. σια, fem.): δοκιμα-σία, testing (δοκιμάζω, test).
• μο- (nom. μός, masc.): σπασ-μός, spasm (σπάω, draw, § 128, 3, N. 4).

NOTE 1. The suffix μα- (nom. μη, fem.) has the same force as simple α- (§ 129, 1); as γνώμη, knowledge (γνω-), τόλμη, daring (τολμα-), ὀδμή, odor (ὄζω, ὀδ-).

NOTE 2. From stems in ευ (εϝ) of verbs in ευω come nouns in εια denoting action; as βασιλεία, kingly power, kingdom, παιδεία, education (cf. 2, a, Note).

4. (Result.) These suffixes denote the result of an action (in verbals only):

• ματ- (nom. μα, neut.): πρᾶγ-μα, thing, act, from πραγ- (πράσσω, do); ῥῆμα, saying (thing said), from ῥε- (fut. ἐρῶ); τμῆ-μα, section, gen. τμήματος, from τμε-, τεμ- (τέμνω, cut).
• εσ- (nom. ος, neut.): λάχος (λαχεσ-), lot, from λαχ- (λαγχάνω, gain by lot); ἔθος (ἐθεσ-), custom, from ἐθ- (εἴωθα, am accustomed); γένος (γενεσ-), race, from γεν- (γέγονα, § 128, 3, N. 5).

NOTE. Denominatives in ος (stem in εσ-) denote quality (see 7).

5. (Means or Instrument.) This is denoted by τρο- (nom. τρον, Latin trum): ἄρο-τρον, plough, aratrum, from ἀρο- (ἀρόω, plough); λύ-τρον, ransom, from λυ- (λύω); λοῦ-τρον, bath, from λου- (λούω, wash).

NOTE. The feminine in τρᾱ sometimes denotes an instrument, as χύτρα, earthen pot, from χυ- (χέω, pour); ξύ-σ-τρα, scraper, from ξυ- (ξύω, scrape); sometimes other relations, e.g. place, as παλαί-σ-τρα, place for wrestling, from παλαι- (παλαίω, wrestle, § 109, 2).

6. (Place.) This is denoted by these suffixes:

• τήριο- (nom. τήριον, only verbals): δικασ-τήριον, court-house, from δικαδ- (δικάζω, judge).
• ειο- (nom. εῖον, only denom.): κουρεῖον, barber's shop, from κουρεύ-ς, barber; so λογ-εῖον (λόγος), speaking-place, Μουσ-εῖον (Μοῦσα), haunt of the Muses.
• ων- (nom. ών, masc., only denom.): ἀνδρών, men's apartment, from ἀνήρ, gen. ἀνδρ-ός, man; ἀμπελών, vineyard, from ἄμπελος, vine.

7. (Quality.) Nouns denoting quality are formed from adjective stems by these suffixes:

• τητ- (nom. της, fem.): νεό-της (νεοτητ-), youth, from νέο-ς, young; ἰσό-της (ἰσοτητ-), equality, from ἴσο-ς, equal (cf. Latin veritas, gen. veri-tatis, virtus, gen. vir-tutis).
• συνα- (nom. σύνη, fem.): δικαιο-σύνη, justice, from δίκαιο-ς, just; σωφρο-σύνη, continence, from σώφρων (σωφρον-), continent.
• ια- (nom. ια, fem.): σοφ-ία, wisdom (σοφός), κακία, vice (κακός), ἀλήθεια, truth, from ἀληθεσ- (ἀληθής, true). See Note.

NOTE. Adjective stems in εσ- drop σ (§ 16, 4, N.), and those in οο drop ο before the suffix ια; as in ἀλήθεια (above), and εὔνοια, good-will, from εὔνοο-ς, εὔνους.

8. (Diminutives.) These are formed from noun stems by the following suffixes:

• ιο- (nom. ιον, neut.): παιδ-ίον, little child, from παιδ- (παῖς, child); κηπ-ίον, little garden (κῆπος).
• Sometimes also ιδιο-, αριο-, υδριο-, υλλιο- (all with nom. in ιον): οἰκ-ίδιον, little house (οἶκος); παιδ-άριον, little child; μελ-ύδριον, little song (μέλος); ἐπ-ύλλιον, little verse, versicle, Latin versiculus (ἔπος). Here final εσ- of the stem is dropped.
• ισκο- (nom. ίσκος, masc.) and ισκα- (nom. ίσκη, fem.): παιδίσκος, young boy, παιδίσκη, young girl; so νεανίσκος, νεανίσκη.

NOTE. Diminutives sometimes express endearment, and sometimes contempt; as πατρίδιον, papa (πατήρ, father), Σωκρατίδιον, Εὐριπίδιον.

9. (Patronymics.) These denote descent from a parent or ancestor (generally a father), and are formed from proper names by the following suffixes:

δᾱ- (nom. δης, masc. parox.) and δ- (nom. ς for δς, fem. oxytone); after a consonant ιδᾱ- and ιδ- (nom. ίδης and ίς).

(a) Stems of the first declension (in α) add δᾱ- and δ- directly; as Βορεά-δης, son of Boreas, and Βορεά-ς, gen. Βορεά-δος, daughter of Boreas, from Βορέας, Boreas.

(b) Stems of the second declension drop the final ο and add ιδᾱ- and ιδ-; as Πριαμ-ίδης, son of Priam, Πριαμ-ίς, gen. Πριαμίδος, daughter of Priam, from Πρίαμο-ς. Except those in ιο-, which change ο to α, making nominatives in ιάδης and ιάς; as Θεστιάδης and Θεστιάς, son and daughter of Thestius (Θέστιο-ς).

(c) Stems of the third declension add ιδᾱ- and ιδ-, those in ευ dropping υ before ι; as Κεκροπ-ίδης, son (or descendant) of Cecrops, Κεκροπ-ίς, gen. -ίδος, daughter of Cecrops, from Κέκροψ, gen. Κέκροπ-ος; Ἀτρείδης (Hom. Ἀτρεΐδης), son of Atreus, from Ἀτρεύ-ς, gen. Ἀτρέ-ως; Πηλείδης (Hom. Πηλεΐδης), son of Peleus, from Πηλεύ-ς, gen. Πηλέ-ως; Hom. also Πηληϊάδης, as if from a form Πηλήϊος (3).

NOTE. Occasionally patronymics are formed by the suffix ιον- or ιων- (nom. ίων); as Κρονίων, gen. Κρονίωνος or Κρονιόνος (to suit the metre), son of Kronos (Κρόνο-ς).

10. (Gentiles.) These designate a person as belonging to some country or town, and are formed by the following suffixes:

• ευ- (nom. εύς, masc.): Ἐρετριεύς, Eretrian (Ἐρετρία); Μεγαρεύς, Megarian (Μέγαρα, pl.); Κολωνεύς, of Colonos (Κολωνό-ς).
• τᾱ- (nom. της, masc. parox.): Τεγεά-της, of Tegea (Τεγέα), Ἠπειρώ-της, of Epirus (Ἤπειρος), Σικελιώ-της, Sicilian (Σικελία). See § 128, 3, N. 3.

NOTE. Feminine stems in ιδ- (nom. ίς, gen. ίδος) correspond to masculines in ευ-; as Μεγαρίς, Megarian woman; and feminines in τιδ- (nom. τις, gen. τιδος), to masculines in τα-, as Σικελιῶ-τις, Sicilian woman.

ADJECTIVES.

11. The simplest suffixes by which adjectives (like nouns) are formed from roots or stems are ο- and α- (nom. masc. ος; fem. η, α, or ος; neut. ον): σοφ-ός, σοφή, σοφόν, wise; κακ-ός, bad; λοιπ-ός, remaining (λιπ-, λοιπ-, § 128, 3, N. 5).

12. Adjectives signifying belonging or related in any way to a person or thing are formed from noun stems by the suffix ιο- (nom. ιος): οὐράν-ιος, heavenly (οὐρανό-ς), οἰκεῖος, domestic (see § 128, 3, N. 3), δί-καιος, just (δικα-), Ἀθηναῖος, Athenian (Ἀθῆναι, stem Ἀθηνα-).

13. (a) Verbals denoting ability or fitness are formed by ικο- (nom. ικός), sometimes τικο- (τικός): ἀρχ-ικός, fit to rule (ἄρχω), γραφικός, capable of writing or painting (γράφω), βουλευ-τικός, able to advise (βουλεύω), πρακ-τικός, fit for action (practical), from πραγ- (πράσσω).

(b) Denominatives thus formed denote relation, like adjectives in ιος (12); πολεμ-ικός, of war, warlike (πόλεμος), βασιλ-ικός, kingly (βασιλεύς), φυσικός, natural (φύσις).

14. Adjectives denoting material are formed by ινο- (nom. ινος, proparox.), as λίθ-ινος, of stone (λίθος); and εο- (nom. εος, contr. οῦς), as χρύσεος, χρυσοῦς, golden (χρυσός).

NOTE. Adjectives in ινός (oxytone) denote time, as ἐαρινός, vernal (ἔαρ, spring), νυκτερινός, by night (νύξ, night, νύκτερος, by night).

15. Those denoting fulness (chiefly poetic) are formed by εντ- (nom. εις, εσσα, εν); χαρίεις, graceful (χάρις), gen. χαρίεντος; ὑλήεις, woody; Latin gratiosus, silvosus.

16. Inclination or tendency is expressed by μον- (nom. μων, μον); μνήμων, mindful (μνήμη, memory), τλή-μων, enduring (τλάω, endure), ἐπιλήσμων, forgetful (λαθ-, λανθάνω).

17. Other adjectives with various meanings are formed by various suffixes besides the simple ο- (11), as νο-, λο-, ρο-, μο-, or σιμο-, all with nom. in ος; εσ- with nom. in ης, ες. Some of these are distinguished by an active or a passive meaning; as δειλός, timid, δεινός, terrible (δει-, fear); sometimes the same adjective has both senses; as φοβερός, frightful and afraid.

Adjectives in ης are generally compounds (§ 131, 6); a few are simple, as ψευδ-ής, false.

NOTE. For verbal adjective in τος and τεος, see § 117, 3.

ADVERBS.

18. Most adverbs are formed from adjectives, as is explained in

§§ 74, 75.

Adverbs may be formed also from the stems of nouns or verbs

by the following suffixes: –

(a) δόν (or δά), ηδόν: ἀνα-φαν-δόν, openly (ἀνα-φαίνω, φαν-), poet. also ἀναφανδά; κυν-ηδόν, like a dog (κύων, gen. κυνός).

(b) δην or άδην: κρύβ-δην, secretly (κρύπτω, conceal); συλλήβ-δην, collectively (συλλαμβάνω, λαβ-, § 128, 3, N. 5); σπορ-άδην, scatteredly (σπείρω, sow, σποραδ-); ἀνέ-δην, profusely (ἀν-ίημι, let out, stem ἑ-).

(c) τι: ὀνομασ-τί, by name (ὀνομάζω, § 16, 1); ἑλληνισ-τί, in Greek (ἑλληνίζω).

See also the local endings θι, θεν, δε, &c., § 61.

A verb whose stem is derived from the stem of a noun or adjective is called a denominative (§ 128, 2, b). The following are the principal terminations of such verbs in the present indicative active: -

1. άω (stem in α-): τιμάω, honor, from noun τιμή (τιμα-), honor.
2. έω (ε-): ἀριθμέω, count, from ἀριθμός, number (Note 2).
3. όω (ο-): μισθόω, let for hire, from μισθό-ς, pay.
4. εύω (ευ-): βασιλεύω, be king, from βασιλεύ-ς, king.
5. άζω (αδ-): δικάζω, judge, from δίκη (δικα-), justice.
6. ίζω (ιδ-): ἐλπίζω, hope, from ἐλπίς (ἐλπιδ-), hope.
7. αίνω (αν-): σημαίνω, signify, from σῆμα (σηματ-), sign.
8. ύνω (υν-): ἡδύνω, sweeten, from ἡδύ-ς, sweet.

For the relations of the present to the simple stem, see § 108.

Note 1. Desiderative verbs, expressing a desire to do anything, are sometimes formed from other verbs and from nouns by the ending σειω (stem in σει-), sometimes αω or ιαω (α- or ια-); as δρα-σείω, desire to do (δρά-ω); γελα-σείω, desire to laugh (γελά-ω); φον-άω, be blood-thirsty (φόνος); κλαυ-σ-ιάω, desire to weep (κλαίω, stem κλαυ-), § 128, 3, N. 4.

Note 2. The final letter or syllable of the stem from which a denominative verb is formed is specially subject to modification (§ 128, 3, N. 3). Thus many verbs in εω come from stems in ο, as φιλέ-ω, love (φιλο-ς). Some come from stems in -εσ (§ 52, 1), dropping εσ; as εὐτυχέω, be fortunate, from εὐτυχής (εὐτυχεσ-), fortunate.

Note 3. Verbs formed from the same noun stem with different endings sometimes have different meanings; as πολεμέω and (poetic) πολεμίζω, make war, πολεμόω, make hostile, both from πόλεμο-ς, war; δουλόω, enslave, δουλεύω, be a slave, from δοῦλο-ς, slave.

§131

In a compound word we have to consider (a) the first part of the compound, (b) the last part, and (c) the meaning of the whole.

Remark. The modifications which are necessary when a compound consists of more than two parts will suggest themselves at once.

(A.) First Part of a Compound Word.

1. When the first part of a compound is a noun or adjective, only its stem appears in the compound.

Before a consonant, stems of the first declension generally

change final α to ο; those of the second declension retain ο; and those of the third add ο. Before a vowel, stems of the first and second declensions drop α or ο. E.g.

Θαλασσο-κράτωρ (θαλασσα-), ruler of the sea, χορο-διδάσκαλος (χορο-),

chorus-teacher, παιδο-τρίβης (παιδ-), trainer of boys (in gymnastics),

κεφαλ-αλγής (κεφαλα-), causing headache, χορ-ηγός (χορο-), (orig.)

chorus-director; so ἰχθυο-φάγος (ἰχθυ-), fish-eater, φυσιο-λόγος, enquiring into nature.

Note. There are many exceptions. Sometimes η takes the place of ο; as χοη-φόρος (χοή, libation), bringer of libations, ἐλαφη-βόλος (ἔλαφο-ς), deer-slayer. Stems in εσ (§ 52, 1) often change εσ to ο; as τειχο-μαχία (τειχεσ-), wall-fighting. The stems of ναῦς, ship, and βοῦς, ox, generally appear without change (ναυ- and βου-); as ναυ-μαχία, sea-fight, βου-κόλος, herdsman. Sometimes a noun appears in one of its cases, as if it were a distinct word; as νεώσ-οικος, ship-house, ναυσί-πορος, traversed by ships.

2. Compounds of which the first part is a verb are chiefly poetic.

(a) Here the verb stem sometimes appears without change before a vowel, and with ε, ι, or ο added before a consonant. E.g.

Πείθ-αρχος, obedient to authority; μεν-ε-πτόλεμος, steadfast in battle; ἀρχ-ι-τέκτων, master-builder; λιπ-ό-γαμος, marriage-leaving (adulterous).

(b) Sometimes σ is added to the verb stem (generally σι before a consonant). E.g.

Πλήξ-ιππος (πληγ-), horse-lashing; λυσί-πονος, toil-relieving; στρεψί-δικος (στρεφ-), justice-twisting; τερψί-νοος (τερπ-), soul-delighting.

3. A preposition or an adverb may be the first part of a compound word; as in προ-βάλλω, throw before, ἀεί-λογία, continual talking, εὐ-γενής, well-born. But no changes in form occur in these, except when a final vowel is elided (§ 12, 2), or when πρό contracts ο with a following ε or ο into ου, as in προὔχω (πρό, ἔχω), hold before; προὔργου (πρό, ἔργου), forward, φροῦδος (πρό, ὁδός), gone (cf. § 17, 2, Note). Euphonic changes occur here as usual; as in ἐγχώριος (ἐν and χώρα, § 16, 5).

4. The following inseparable particles are used only as prefixes: -

(a) ἀν- (ἀ- before a consonant), called alpha privative, with a negative force, like English un-, Latin in-. It is prefixed to noun, adjective, and verb stems, with which it generally forms adjectives; as ἀν-ελεύθερος, unfree, ἀν-αιδής, shameless, ἀν-όμοιος, unlike, ἄ-παις, childless, ἄ-γραφος, unwritten, ἄ-θεος, godless.

(b) δυσ-, ill (opposed to εὖ, well), denoting difficulty or trouble; as δύσ-πορος, hard to pass (opposed to εὔ-πορος); δυστυχής, unfortunate (opposed to εὐ-τυχής).

(c) νη- (Latin ne), a poetic negative prefix; as νή-ποινος, unavenged; νη-μερτής, unerring.

(d) ἡμι- (Latin semi-), half; as ἡμί-θεος, demigod.

Note 1. A few intensive prefixes are found in poetry, - ἀρι-, ἐρι-, δα-, ζα-, as ἀρί-γνωτος, well-known; δα-φοινός, bloody.

Note 2. The prefix ἀ- is sometimes copulative (denoting union); as in ἄ-λοχος, bedfellow (from λέχος).

(B.) Last Part of a Compound Word.

5. At the beginning of the last part of a compound noun or adjective, α, ε, or ο (unless it is lengthened by position) is generally lengthened to η or ω. E.g.

Στρατ-ηγός (στρατό-ς, ἄγω), general; ὑπ-ήκοος (ὑπό, ἀκούω), obedient; κατ-ηρεφής (κατά, ἐρέφω), covered; ἐπ-ώνυμος (ἐπί, ὄνομα), naming or named for; κατ-ήγορος (κατά, ἀγορά), accuser. (See § 12, 2.)

6. The last part of a compound noun or adjective may be changed in form when a suffix is added (§ 129). This takes place especially in compound adjectives, and when an abstract noun forms the last part of a compound noun. E.g.

Φιλό-τιμος (τιμή), honor-loving; πολυ-πράγμων (πρᾶγμα), meddlesome; αὐτ-άρκης (αὐτός, ἀρκέω, suffice), self-sufficient; ἀν-αιδής (αἰδέομαι), shameless; κακο-ήθης (ἦθος), ill-disposed; — λιθο-βολία (λίθος, βολή), stone-throwing; ναυ-μαχία (ναῦς, μάχη), sea-fight.

Compound adjectives in ης are especially frequent (§ 129, 17).

Note. An abstract noun compounded with a preposition may retain its form; as προ-βουλή, forethought.

7. A compound verb can be formed directly only by prefixing a preposition to a verb; as προσ-άγω, bring to. Indirect compounds (denominatives) are formed from compound nouns or adjectives, which themselves may be compounded in various ways. E.g.

Λιθοβολέω, throw stones, denom. from λιθο-βόλος, stone-thrower; κατηγορέω, accuse, from κατ-ήγορος, accuser (cf. 5). See § 105, 1, N. 2.

§132

(C.) Meaning of Compounds.

Compounds nouns and adjectives are of three classes, distinguished by the relation of the parts of the compound to each other and to the whole.

1. Objective compounds are those composed of a noun and a verb, adjective, or preposition, in which the noun stands to the other part in some relation (commonly that of object) which could be expressed by an oblique case of the noun. E.g.

Λογο-γράφος, speech-writer (λόγους γράφων); μισ-άνθρωπος, man-hating (μισῶν ἀνθρώπους); στρατ-ηγός, general (army-leading, στρατὸν ἄγων); ἀξιό-λογος, worthy of mention (ἄξιος λόγου); ἁμαρτ-ί-νοος, erring in mind (ἁμαρτὼν νοῦ); ἰσό-θεος, godlike (ἴσος θεῷ); τερπ-ι-κέραυνος, delighting in thunder (τερπόμενος κεραυνῷ); διο-τρεφής, reared by Zeus (cf. διι-πετής, fallen or sent from Zeus, and Διι-τρεφής, a proper name). So with a preposition: ἐγ-χώριος, native (ἐν τῇ χώρᾳ); ἐφ-ίππιος, belonging on a horse (ἐφ᾽ ἵππῳ).

Note. When the last part of an objective compound is a transitive verbal in ος formed by the suffix ο- (§ 129, 1), it generally accents the penult if this is short, otherwise the last syllable. But if the last part is intransitive or passive (in sense), the accent is recessive. Thus λογο-γράφος, speech-writer; λιθο-βόλος, thrower of stones, but λιθό-βολος, pelted with stones; μητρο-κτόνος, matricide, matricidal; στρατ-ηγός, general; λογο-ποιός, story-maker.

2. Determinative compounds are nouns or adjectives in which the first part, generally as adjective or adverb, qualifies (or determines) the second part. E.g.

Ἀκρό-πολις, citadel (ἀκρὰ πόλις); μεσ-ημβρία (μεσὴ ἡμέρα, § 14, 2, N. 1), mid-day; ψευδό-μαντις, false prophet; ὁμό-δουλος, fellow-slave (ὁμοῦ δουλεύων); δυσ-μαθής, learning with difficulty; ὠκυ-πέτης, swift-flying; ἀμφι-θέατρον, amphitheatre (theatre extending all round); ἄ-γραφος, unwritten. Here belong adjectives like μελι-ηδής (ἡδύς), honey-sweet, Ἀρηί-θοος, swift as Ares (Ares-swift).

Note. Here belong a few compounds sometimes called copulative, made of two nouns or two adjectives, and signifying a combination of the two things or qualities. Strictly, the first part limits the last, like an adjective or adverb. Such are ἰατρό-μαντις, physician-prophet (a prophet who is also a physician); ξιφο-μάχαιρα, sword-sabre; ἀνδρό-παις, man-child; γλυκύ-πικρος, sweetly bitter; θεό-ταυρος (of Zeus changed to a bull).

3. Possessive or attributive compounds are adjectives in which the first part qualifies the second (as in determinatives), and the whole denotes a quality or attribute belonging to some person or thing. E.g.

Ἀργυρό-τοξος, with silver bow (ἀργυροῦν τόξον ἔχων); κακο-δαίμων, ill-fated (κακὸν δαίμονα ἔχων); πικρό-γαμος, wretchedly married (πικρὸν γάμον ἔχων); ὁμό-νομος, having the same laws; ἑκατογ-κέφαλος, hundred-headed; δεκα-ετής, of ten years (duration); ἀγαθο-ειδής, having the appearance (εἶδος) of good; ἔν-θεος, inspired (having God within); ὠκύ-πους, swift-footed (ὠκεῖς πόδας ἔχων), — but ποδ-ώκης (πόδας ὠκύς), foot-swift, is a determinative.

Remark. In compound verbs, the original verb remains the fundamental part, modified more or less in meaning by the preposition prefixed. Other compounds than those here mentioned present no difficulties in respect to meaning.