ὄστρακον

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Ancient Greek

Etymology

Traditionally held to be related to ὀστέον (ostéon, bone) and ὄστρεον (óstreon, oyster). Beekes considers it more likely to be Pre-Greek, which does not exclude a relation to ὄστρεον (óstreon).

Pronunciation

 

Noun

ὄστρᾰκον (óstrakonn (genitive ὀστρᾰ́κου); second declension

  1. earthen vessel
    1. fragment of such a vessel, potsherd
    2. earthen castanet
  2. the hard shell of animals such as mollusks and turtles
    1. mother of pearl
    2. eggshell

Inflection

Derived terms

Descendants

Further reading