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ἄθος. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
ἄθος, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
ἄθος in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
ἄθος you have here. The definition of the word
ἄθος will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
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Ancient Greek
Pronunciation
Etymology 1
From Koine Greek ἄνθος (ánthos, “flower”) following Medieval Greek phonotactics where nasals are dropped before fricatives ( → ).
Noun
ἄθος • (áthos) n (genitive ἄθους); third declension (Byzantine)
- (Byzantine) flower, blossom
- (Byzantine) (figuratively) an ornament, beautiful object or person
- (Byzantine) (colloquial) an endearing term of address
- (Byzantine) (figuratively) a select group of people, cream of the crop
- (Byzantine) (figuratively) effect or consequence, fruit of one's actions
Derived terms
Etymology 2
Probably related to Ionic Greek αἴθω (aíthō, “to ignite”) and Koine Greek αἰθάλη (aithálē, “soot”).
Noun
ἄθος • (áthos) n (genitive ἄθους); third declension (Byzantine)
- (Byzantine) ash, cinder
ca 1590–1610, Vitsentzos Kornaros, Erotokritos, Β' 254:...καίγεται, κὶ ἄθος γίνεται, καὶ πάλιν ξανανιώνει- ...kaígetai, kì áthos gínetai, kaì pálin xananiṓnei
- ...it burns, and it becomes ash, and again it is revitalised
References
ἄθος - Kriaras, Emmanuel (1969-) Επιτομή του Λεξικού της Μεσαιωνικής Ελληνικής Δημώδους Γραμματείας (Epitomí tou Lexikoú tis Mesaionikís Ellinikís Dimódous Grammateías) [Concise Dictionary of the Kriaras' Dictionary of Medieval Vulgar Greek Literature (1100–1669) Vols. 1–14. Vols 15- under I. Kazazes.)] (in Greek), Thessaloniki: Centre for the Greek language Online edition (abbreviations) Printed edition 2022: 22 vols.)