The second half is generally believed to be μήτηρ (mḗtēr, “mother”). The first element, δᾶ (dâ),[1] is classically explained as the Attic/Ionic variant of an archaic Doric form of γῆ (gê, “earth”); other theories include a connection with Albanian dhe (“earth”) or χθών (khthṓn, “ground, earth”).[2]
The supposed Aeolic form Δωμάτηρ (Dōmátēr) is only attested through a reconstructed inscription from the 2nd century B.C. in Aigai. The inscription reads ωατρος ([]ō[]atros), which has been read, as reported in Richard Bohn's "Altertümer von Aegae" as a genitive form of Δωμάτηρ (Dōmátēr). However, as Chantraine says, "The dialectal forms, notably Δωμάτηρ (Dōmátēr), don't offer any help to etymology," and it's disputable whether the inscription reads as such.
Δημήτηρ • (Dēmḗtēr) f (genitive Δήμητρος); third declension
Case / # | Singular | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nominative | ἡ Δημήτηρ hē Dēmḗtēr | ||||||||||||
Genitive | τῆς Δήμητρος tês Dḗmētros | ||||||||||||
Dative | τῇ Δήμητρῐ têi Dḗmētri | ||||||||||||
Accusative | τὴν Δήμητρᾰ tḕn Dḗmētra | ||||||||||||
Vocative | Δήμητερ Dḗmēter | ||||||||||||
Notes: |
|
Case / # | Singular | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nominative | ἡ Δημήτηρ hē Dēmḗtēr | ||||||||||||
Genitive | τῆς Δημήτερος tês Dēmḗteros | ||||||||||||
Dative | τῇ Δημήτερῐ têi Dēmḗteri | ||||||||||||
Accusative | τὴν Δημήτερᾰ tḕn Dēmḗtera | ||||||||||||
Vocative | Δήμητερ Dḗmēter | ||||||||||||
Notes: |
|