ξεφτέρι

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word ξεφτέρι. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word ξεφτέρι, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say ξεφτέρι in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word ξεφτέρι you have here. The definition of the word ξεφτέρι will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofξεφτέρι, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

Greek

Etymology

Inherited from Byzantine Greek ξεφτέριν (xephtérin)[1] < ξυπτέριν < ἐξυπτέριον, from Koine Greek ὀξυπτέριον n (oxuptérion, hawk) with assimilation of pronunciation > [2] and with the influence of ξε- (xe-).[3] a diminutive of Ancient Greek ὀξύπτερος (oxúpteros, sharp-winged, hence swift-winged) < ὀξύς (oxús) + πτερ(όν) n (pter(ón), wing) + -ος (-os). Compare to ὠκύπτερος (ōkúpteros, swift-winged) and the etymologies of ὀξύς (oxús, sharp) and ὠκύς (ōkús, quick).
Cognate with Pontic Greek ξυφτέριν (xyftérin) and akin to τσίφτης (tsíftis) and Albanian qift. Probably, not related[3] to the Latin accipiter from acus.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /kseˈfte.ɾi/
  • Hyphenation: ξε‧φτέ‧ρι

Noun

ξεφτέρι (xeftérin (plural ξεφτέρια)

  1. (bird) Eurasian sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)
  2. (figuratively, not formal) bright spark, quickwitted, intelligent
    see: έξυπνος (éxypnos, intelligent)

Declension

singular plural
nominative ξεφτέρι (xeftéri) ξεφτέρια (xeftéria)
genitive ξεφτεριού (xefterioú) ξεφτεριών (xefterión)
accusative ξεφτέρι (xeftéri) ξεφτέρια (xeftéria)
vocative ξεφτέρι (xeftéri) ξεφτέρια (xeftéria)

References

  1. ^ ξεφτέριKriaras, 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.)
  2. ^ ξεφτέρι, in Λεξικό της κοινής νεοελληνικής , Triantafyllidis Foundation, 1998 at the Centre for the Greek language
  3. 3.0 3.1 ξεφτέρι - Babiniotis, Georgios (2010) Ετυμολογικό λεξικό της νέας ελληνικής γλώσσας Etymologikó lexikó tis néas ellinikís glóssas [Etymological Dictionary of Modern Greek language] (in Greek), Athens: Lexicology Centre

Further reading