Unknown. Formation like the fish names λαγώς (lagṓs) and ἀχαρνώς (akharnṓs). Often compared to ὄρφνη (órphnē, “darkness of night”), with reference to the color, but unclear in detail. Connected with ὀρφανός (orphanós, “orphan”) by Bechtel, but without semantic argumentation; perhaps because of its solitary way of life.
ὀρφώς • (orphṓs) m (genitive ὀρφώ); second declension
| Case / # | Singular | Dual | Plural | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | ὁ ὀρφώς ho orphṓs |
τὼ ὀρφώ tṑ orphṓ |
οἱ ὀρφῴ hoi orphṓi | ||||||||||
| Genitive | τοῦ ὀρφώ toû orphṓ |
τοῖν ὀρφῴν toîn orphṓin |
τῶν ὀρφών tôn orphṓn | ||||||||||
| Dative | τῷ ὀρφῴ tôi orphṓi |
τοῖν ὀρφῴν toîn orphṓin |
τοῖς ὀρφῴς toîs orphṓis | ||||||||||
| Accusative | τὸν ὀρφώ / ὀρφών tòn orphṓ(n) |
τὼ ὀρφώ tṑ orphṓ |
τοὺς ὀρφώς toùs orphṓs | ||||||||||
| Vocative | ὀρφώς orphṓs |
ὀρφώ orphṓ |
ὀρφῴ orphṓi | ||||||||||
| Notes: |
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