βασιλεύς

• βᾰσῐλῆος (basilêos) — Homeric, genitive
• βᾰσῐλῆϝος (basilêwos) — Arcadocypriot, genitive
• 𐠞𐠪𐠐𐠵𐠩 (pa-si-le-wo-se) — Cypriot, Cypriot syllabary
• βᾰσῐλῆϝς (basilêws) — Arcadocypriot
• βαἱ̈λεύς (bahïleús) — Laconian

From Proto-Hellenic *gʷatiléus, with σ (s) developing by assibilation. Cognate with Mycenaean Greek 𐀣𐀯𐀩𐀄 (qa-si-re-u), that is, *gʷasileus. Further etymology uncertain. Multiple Indo-European etymologies have been advanced, while Beekes considers it Pre-Greek in origin.^[1] Possibly from an Anatolian language (see Lydian 𐤡𐤠𐤯𐤯𐤬𐤳 (pattoš, “king”)), although the Mycenaean (Linear B) evidence points to an original form with initial gʷ.

Case-forms show Attic shortening of the original stem βασιληϝ- (basilēw-); see quantitative metathesis.

• Hyphenation: βα‧σι‧λεύς

βᾰσῐλεύς • (basileús) m (genitive βᾰσῐλέως); third declension

1. chief, master
2. king, lord, patron

Greek leaders ruling in distant lands, such as those of Ptolemaic Egypt, often use the word βασιλεύς (basileús) to convey authority, an example of this is exemplified in the use of the phrase ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ (PTOLEMAiOu BASILEŌS) on Ptolemaic coinage minted for use in Egypt.

During specific periods of Greek history, βασιλεύς (basileús) was used to describe certain foreign leaders of comparable authority, such as the Persian kings and Roman Caesars. In this usage, it often took on certain modifications, such as a lack of definite article or the use of the adjective μέγας (mégas).

• ἄνᾰξ (ánax), κοίρανος (koíranos)

• → Arabic: باسل
• → Coptic: ⲃⲁⲥⲓⲗⲉⲩⲥ (basileus)
• → English: basileus, basilean, basileolatry, basilolatry
• Greek: βασιλεύς (vasiléfs), βασιλέας (vasiléas), βασιλιάς (vasiliás)
• Mariupol Greek: васлэ́яс (vasléjas)
• → Medieval Latin: basileus

From Ancient Greek βασιλεύς.

• IPA^(key): /vasiˈlefs/

• Audio:

  (file)

• Hyphenation: βα‧σι‧λεύς

βασιλεύς • (vasiléfs) m (plural βασιλείς)

1. Katharevousa form of βασιλιάς (vasiliás, “king”)