Smyth›Part III: Formation of Words

FORMATION OF SUBSTANTIVES

§§838–856 · 19 sections

Some suffixes have a special significance; of these the most important are given in 839-856. But suffixes commonly used with a special function (such as to denote agency, action, instrument, etc.) are not restricted to this function. Only a few have one function, as τερο to denote comparison.

a. The instrument may be viewed as the agent, as in ῥαι-σ-τήρ hammer, lit. smasher, from ῥαί-ω smash. τρο (863. 16) may express the agent, instrument, or place. Suffixes used to denote actions or abstract ideas often make concrete words, as τροφ-ή nurture and nourishment, ἀγγελ-ίᾱ message (cp. Eng. dwelling, clothing). πορθμεῖον means ferry, ferry-boat, ferryman's fee. Words originally denoting an agent have lost that meaning, as πα-τήρ father (orig. protector), and in many cases the original force is changed.

Formation · Substantives

AGENCY

a. The primary suffixes τᾱ, τηρ, τορ, τρο, ευ, denoting the agent or

1. τᾱ (nom. -τή-ς): κρι-τή-ς judge (κρῑ́νω decide, κρι-), κλέπ-τη-ς thief (κλέπ- steal), ποιη-τή-ς poet, i.e. maker (ποιέ-ω make), αὐλη-τή-ς flute-pl<*> (αὐλέ-ω play the flute), μαθ-η-τή-ς pupil (μανθάνω learn, μαθ-ε-), ἱκ-έ- suppliant (ἱκ-νέ-ομαι come, ἱκ-).

2. τηρ (nom. -τήρ): δο-τήρ giver (δί-δω-μι give, δο-, δω-), σω-τήρ saviour (σῳ save).

3. τορ (nom. -τωρ): ῥή-τωρ orator (ἐρέω shall say, ἐρ-, ῥε-), εἴ-ρη-κα h<*> spoken, κτίσ-τωρ founder (κτίζω found, κτιδ-), σημάντωρ comman<*> poet. (σημαίνω give a signal, σημαν-).

4. τρο (nom. -τρό-ς): ῑ̓ᾱ-τρό-ς physician (ῑ̓ᾱ́-ομαι heal).

5. ευ (nom. -εύ-ς): γραφ-εύ-ς writer (γράφ-ω write), τοκ-εύ-ς father (τί<*> beget, τεκ-).

b. The primary suffixes τριδ, τριᾱ, τειρᾱ, τιδ are feminine.

1. τριδ (nom. -τρίς): αὐλη-τρίς female flute-player.

2. τριᾱ (nom. -τρια): ποιή-τρια poetess (late), ψάλ-τρια female harper (ψάλ<*> play the harp, ψαλ-).

3. τειρᾱ (nom. -τειρα from τερ-ῖα): σώ-τειρα fem. of σω-τήρ, δό-τειρα fem. δο-τήρ.

4. τιδ (nom. -τις): ἱκ-ε-τις female suppliant fem. of ἱκ-έ-της.

c. The same root or verb-stem may have different suffixes denoting the agen<*> γεν-έ-της, γεν-ε-τήρ, γεν-έ-τωρ begetter; μαθ-η-τρίς, or μαθ-ή-τρια female pup fem. of μαθ-η-τής.

d. Words in -τηρ, -τρις, -ευς are oxytone. Words in -τωρ, -τειρα, -τρια ha<*> recessive accent. Words in -της are oxytone or paroxytone.

e. See also ον (nom. -ων) 861. 18.

Agent · Formation · Primary · Primitive · Substantives · Suffixes

NAMES OF ACTIONS AND ABSTRACT SUBSTANTIVES

a. Substantives denoting actions often express abstract idea and names of actions and verbal abstracts are often used co<*> cretely. The following suffixes (except μο, nominative -μό-ς, an ες, nominative -ος) form feminines; all are primary except ιᾱ i<*> some words.

1. τι (nom. -τι-ς): πίσ-τι-ς faith (πείθ-ω persuade, πιθ-), φά-τι-ς rumour (φη<*> say, φα-).

2. σι (nom. -σι-ς): λέξις style (λέγ-ω speak), ποίη-σι-ς poetry (ποιέ-ω make) φθί-σι-ς decay (φθί-ν-ω decay), δό-σι-ς act of giving or gift (δί-δω-μι giv<*> δο-, δω-), θέ-σι-ς placing (τί-θη-μι place, θε-, θη-), τά-σι-ς tension (fo<*> τṇ-σι-ς 35 b, from τείνω stretch, τεν-). σι is derived from τι after vowel (115).

3. σιᾱ (nom. -σίᾱ): in substantives from verbs in -αζω out of -αδ-ῖω; a<*> δοκιμασίᾱ examination (δοκιμάζω examine, δοκ μαδ-).

4. τυ (nom. -τῡ́-ς 863 a. 17): rare, poetic and dialectic, ἐδ-η-τῡ́ς eating (poet<*> ἔδ-ω eat), βοη-τῡ́-ς shouting (βοά-ω shout).

5. μο (nom. -μό-ς, masc.): διωγ-μό-ς pursuit (διώκ-ω pursue), πταρ-μό-ς sneez<*> ing (πτάρ-νυ-μαι sneeze). On θ-μο see 832, σ-μο 836, τ-μο 837. Cp 861. 1.

6. μᾱ (nom. -μη): γνώ-μη knowledge (γι-γνώ-σκω know), φή-μη report, omen (φη-μί say), τῑ-μή honour (poet. τῑ́-ω honour), μνή-μη memory (μι-μνῄ-σκω remind). See also 861. 1.

7. μᾱ (nom. -μᾰ): τόλ-μα daring (τλῆ-ναι dare).

8. ες (nom. -ος, neut.): δέ-ος fear, ῥῖγ-ος cold.

9. ιᾱ (nom. -ίᾱ): primitive, from verb-stems, as μαν-ίᾱ madness (μαίνομαι rage, μαν-). Denominative: ἡγεμον-ίᾱ sovereignty (ἡγεμών leader), εὐεργεσία kind service (εὐεργετ-ια from εὐεργέτης doer of good deeds). Without any noun-stem: πολιορκίᾱ siege (πολιορκέω besiege). Verbs in -ευω derived from substantives, as παιδεύ-ω educate (παῖς child), show abstracts in -είᾱ for ε(ῦ)-ιᾱ (43): παιδείᾱ education, στρατείᾱ campaign (στρατεύομαι take the field), βασιλείᾱ reign, kingdom (βασιλεύ-ω am king).

10. ο, α: see 859. 1, 2.

b. Many feminine substantives expressing the abstract notion of the adjective are derived from adjective stems (a few from substantive or verb stems). Many of these denominatives express quality, cp. Eng. -ness, -hood.

1. ιᾱ (nom. -ιᾰ): from adjectives in -ης and -οος, -ους, as ἀλήθεια truth for ἀληθεσ-ια from ἀληθής true; ἔνδεια want for ἐνδε(ε)σ-ια from ἐνδεής needy, 44 a, 292 d; εὔνοια kindness for εὐνο(ο)-ια from εὐνοο-ς εὔνους kind.

2. ιᾱ (nom. -ίᾱ): εὐδαιμον-ίᾱ happiness (εὐδαίμων happy), συμμαχίᾱ alliance (σύμμαχος fighting along with), σοφ-ίᾱ wisdom (σοφό-ς wise). Since τ becomes ς before ιᾱ we have ἀθανασίᾱ immortality (ἀθάνατο-ς immortal). Cp. 859. 6.

3. συνᾱ (nom. -σύνη): δικαιο-σύνη justice (δίκαιο-ς just). Abstracts in -συνη are properly fem. of adj. in -συνος, as γηθο-σύνη joy (γηθό-συνος joyful). -οσύνη by analogy in μαντ-οσύνη art of divination (μάντι-ς seer). See 865. 7.

4. τητ (nom. -της): φιλό-της, -τητος friendship (φίλο-ς friend), ἰσό-της, -τητος equality (ἴσο-ς equal), νεό-της youth (νέο-ς young), παχύ-της thickness (παχύ-ς thick).

5. αδ (nom. -άς): abstract substantives of number, as τρι-άς, -άδος triad (τρεῖς). μον-άς, -άδος unit (μόνο-ς alone, single). See also 863 b. 8.

c. Some neuter abstracts express quality: τάχ-ος speed (ταχ-ύ-ς swift), εὖρ-ος width (εὐρ-ύ-ς broad). See 840 a. 8.

d. A feminine adjective is used substantively in poet. πινυτή wisdom from πινυτό-ς wise; with recessive accent in ἔχθρᾱ enmity from ἐχθρό-ς hostile, θέρμη warmth from θερμό-ς warm.

e. Some compound adjectives in -ής yield (by analogy) abstracts in -ιᾱ not in -ειᾰ; as ἀτυχίᾱ misfortune from ἀ-τυχ-ής unfortunate. Fluctuation often occurs, as in κακοήθεια κακοηθίᾱ malignity from κακο-ήθης ill-disposed; Old Attic ἀληθείᾱ ( = Ion. ἀληθείη) for ἀλήθεια.

Abstract · Action · Denominative · Formation · Neuter gender · Primary · Primitive · Quality · Recessive accent · Substantives · Suffixes

RESULT OF ACTION

The result or effect of an action is expressed by the primary suffixes

1. ες (nom. -ος, neut.): γέν-ος race, family, stem γεν-εσ- (γί-γν-ομαι am born, ἐ-γεν-όμην, γεν-), τέκ-ος child, stem τεκ-εσ- (τίκτω bring forth, τεκ-), ψεῦδ-ος lie, stem ψευδ-εσ- (ψεύδ-ω deceive).

2. ματ (nom. -μα, neut.): γράμ-μα thing written (γράφ-ω write), νόη-μα thought (νοέω think), ποίη-μα poem (ποιέ-ω make), δέρ-μα hide (δέρ-ω flay), τμῆ-μα section (τέμ-νω cut, τεμ-, τμη-, 128 a).

Formation · Primary · Primitive · Result · Substantives · Suffixes

INSTRUMENT OR MEANS OF ACTION

The instrument or means of an action is expressed by the primary suffixes

1. τρο (nom. -τρο-ν, neut.): ἄρο-τρο-ν plough (ἀρό-ω plough), λύ-τρο-ν ransom (λῡ́-ω release, λῠ̄-), σεῖ-σ-τρο-ν rattle (σεί-ω shake, 624 a), δί-δακ-τρο-ν teacher's pay (διδάσκω teach, διδαχ-), λου-τρό-ν bath (bathing-water; λού-ω wash).

2. θ-ρο (nom. -θρο-ν, neut.): κλεῖ-θρο-ν bar for closing a door (κλεί-ω shut, 832).

3. τρᾱ (nom. -τρᾱ, fem.): μάκ-τρᾱ kneading-trough (μάττω knead, μαγ-), ῥή-τρᾱ compact (ἐρέω ἐρῶ shall say, ἐρ-, ῥε-), χύ-τρᾱ pot (χέω pour, χυ-).

4. τηρ-ιο- (nom. -τηρ-ιο-ν, neut.): in a few words, as πο-τήρ-ιο-ν cup (πῑ́νω drink, πο- 529); θελκ-τήρ-ιο-ν spell, charm (θέλγ-ω charm). See 858. 14.

5. ειο (rare; nom. -εῖον, neut.): τροφεῖα pay for rearing. See 863 a. 8.

6. ρο (nom. -ρό-ν, neut.): πτ-ε-ρό-ν wing (πέτ-ομαι fly).

Formation · Instrument of action · Means · Primary · Primitive · Substantives · Suffixes

THE PERSON CONCERNED

a. The person concerned or occupied with anything is denoted by a denominative formed by one of the following secondary suffixes:

1. ευ (nom. -εύ-ς, masc.): γραμ-ματ-εύ-ς secretary (γράμμα, -ατος anything written), ἱερ-εύ-ς priest (ἱερό-ς sacred), ἱππ-εύ-ς horseman (ἵππο-ς horse), χαλκεύ-ς coppersmith (χαλκό-ς copper).

2. τᾱ (nom. -τη-ς, masc.): ναύ-τη-ς sailor (ναῦ-ς ship), τοξό-της bowman (τόξο-ν bow), οἰκέ-της house-servant (οἶκο-ς house, 834 f), δεσμώ-τη-ς prisoner (834 h).

N.—By analogy are formed: εὐν-έτη-ς bed-fellow (εὐνή bed), following οἰκέτη-ς; ὁπλ-ῑ́τη-ς heavy-armed soldier (ὅπλο-ν, ὅπλα armour) following πολῑ́-τη-ς from older πόλῑ-ς; στρατι-ώτη-ς soldier (στρατιᾱ́ army) following δεσμώ-τη-ς. See 834 g.

b. The following secondary suffixes form feminine substantives:

1. ιᾱ (nom. -ιᾰ): corresponding to masculines in -εύ-ς, as ἱέρεια priestess for ἱερ-εῦ-ια (ἱερ-εύ-ς priest), βασίλεια queen (βασιλ-εύ-ς king). See -αινα below.

2. ιδ (nom. -ίς): φαρμακ-ίς sorceress (φάρμακο-ν charm, poison, φαρμακ-εύ-ς sorcerer), καπηλ-ίς female huckster (καπηλό-ς huckster), φυλακ-ίς female guard (φύλαξ).

3. τιδ (nom. -τις): corresponding to masculines in -τη-ς: οἰκέ-τις house-maid (οἰκέ-της), πολῖ-τις female citizen (πολῑ́-της).

4. ιττᾱ, ισσᾱ (nom. -ιττα, -ισσα): from ῖα added to stems in τ or κ (112, 114), as θῆττα female serf from θητ-ῖα (θής, θητ-ός serf), Κίλισσα Cilician woman from Κιλικ-ῖα (Κίλιξ Cilician); later, by analogy, βασίλισσα queen.

5. αινᾱ (nom. -αινα) corresponding to masculines in -ων: λέ-αινα lioness (λέ-ων lion), θεράπ-αινα handmaid (θεράπ-ων attendant), Λάκ-αινα woman of Laconia (Λάκ-ων a Laconian). By analogy, in ο stems: λύκ-αινα she-wolf (λύκο-ς). -αινα stands for -αν-ῖα, -αν being a weak form of -ων (833 e, 35 b).

N.—Names of dealers in anything usually end in -πώλης, -ου; fem. -πωλις, -ιδος (πωλέω sell), as βιβλιο-πώλης bookseller (βιβλίο-ν book), σῑτο-πώλης graindealer (σῖτο-ς grain), ἀρτό-πωλις bread-woman (ἄρτο-ς bread). Cp. also καπηλίς under ιδ.

Denominative · Formation · Person concerned · Secondary · Substantives · Suffixes

GENTILES OR PLACE NAMES

Gentiles are denominative nouns denoting belonging to or coming from a particular country, nation, or city. Gentiles are formed from proper nouns by secondary suffixes.

1. ευ (nom. -εύς, gen. -έως, masc.), ιδ (nom. -ίς, gen. ίδ-ος, fem.):

Πλαταιεύς -έως, Πλαταιΐς -ίδος a Plataean (ἡ Πλάταια); Ἐρετριεύς an Eretrian (ἡ Ἐρέτρια); Μεγαρεύς, Μεγαρίς a Megarian (τὰ Μέγαρα); Αἰολεύς Aeolian (Αἴολος, mythical ancestor of the Aeolians).

a. -ίς (-ίδος) may denote a land or a dialect: ἡ Δωρίς (γῆ) Doris; ἡ Αἰολίς (γλῶττα) the Aeolic dialect.

2. τᾱ (nom. -τη-ς, masc.), τιδ (nom. -τις, fem.): Τεγεᾱ́-της, Τεγεᾶ-τις of Tegea (ἡ Τεγέᾱ); Σπαρτ-ιᾱ́-της, Σπαρτ-ιᾶ-τις of Sparta (ἡ Σπάρτᾱ); Αἰγῑνή-της, Αἰγῑνῆ-τις of Aegina (ἡ Αἴγῑνα); Συβαρ-ῑ́-της, Συβαρ-ῖ-τις Sybarite (ἡ Σύβαρις); Σικελι-ώ-της, Σικελι-ῶ-τις Siciliote (ἡ Σικελίᾱ).

a. The endings -ῑτης, -ωτης are due to analogy; see 843 a. N.

3. Other gentiles, properly adjectives, end in -ιος, -ιᾱ, as Ἀθηναῖο-ς, -αίᾱ of Athens (αἱ Ἀθῆναι), Μῑλήσ-ιο-ς for Μῑλητ-ιο-ς of Miletus (Μῑ́λητος), Ὀπούντιο-ς of Opus (Ὀποῦς); (ι)κός, (ι)κᾱ́, as Ἰων-ικός Ionic (Ἴων-ες Ionians); νό-ς, νή preceded by ᾱ(η), ῑ, as Σαρδι-ᾱνό-ς of Sardis (Σάρδεις), Λαμψακ-ηνό-ς of Lampsacus (Λάμψακος), Βυζαντ-ῖνο-ς Byzantine (Βυζάντιον). See 863 b. 12.

Denominative · Formation · Gentiles · Place · Secondary · Substantives · Suffixes

PATRONYMICS

Patronymics, or denominative proper names denoting descent from a father or ancestor, are formed from proper names of persons by means of the following suffixes:

1. δᾱ (nom. -δη-ς, masc.), δ (nom. -ς, fem.):

Βορεά̆-δη-ς son of Boreas fem. Βορεά̆-ς, -δος from Βορέᾱ-ς

Stems in ᾱ shorten ᾱ to α; from such forms arose

2. αδᾱ (nom. -άδη-ς, masc.), αδ (nom. -άς, fem.):

Θεστι-άδη-ς son of Thestius fem. Θεστι-άς, -άδος from Θέστιο-ς

From this type arose a new formation:

3. ιαδᾱ (nom. -ιάδη-ς, masc.), ιαδ (nom. -ιάς, fem.):

Φερητ-ιάδη-ς son of Pheres fem. Φερητ-ιάς, -ιάδ-ος from Φέρης (-ητοσ)
Περση-ϊάδη-ς son of Perseus (fem. Περση-ΐς, -ίδ-οσ) from Περσεύ-ς
Τελαμων-ιάδη-ς son of Telamon from Τελαμών (-ῶνοσ)

4. ιδᾱ (nom. -ίδη-ς, masc.), ιδ (nom. -ίς, fem.):

Τανταλ-ίδη-ς son of Tantalus fem. Τανταλ-ίς, -ίδ-ος from Τάνταλο-ς
Κεκροπ-ίδη-ς son of Cecrops fem. Κεκροπ-ίς, -ίδ-ος from Κέκροψ (-οποσ)
Οἰνε-ίδη-ς son of Oeneus fem. Οἰνη-ΐς, -ίδ-ος from Οἰνεύ-ς
Λητο-ΐδη-ς son of Leto fem. Λητω-ΐς, -ίδ-ος from Λητώ (279)

Stems in ο drop ο; stems in ευ (ηυ) drop υ; stems in οι (ωι) drop ι.

5. ῑον or ῐων (poetic and rare; nom. -ῑ́ων, masc.):

Κρον-ῑ́ων son of Cronus (also Κρον-ίδη-ς), gen. Κρον-ῑ́ον-ος or Κρον-ί̆ων-ος according to the metre, from Κρόνο-ς.

6. ιωνᾱ or ῑνᾱ (poetic and rare; nom. -ιώνη or ῑ́νη, fem.):

Ἀκρισ-ιώνη daughter of Ἀκρίσιο-ς Ἀδρηστ-ῑ́νη daughter of Ἄδρηστο-ς

Denominative · Formation · Patronymics · Relationship · Secondary · Substantives · Suffixes

Variations occur especially in poetry: a. Hom. Πηλε-ίδη-ς, Πηλε-ΐδη-ς, Πηλη-ϊάδη-ς, and Πηλε-ΐων, son of Πηλεύ-ς; Ἀτρε-ίδη-ς, Ἀτρε-ΐδη-ς, and Ἀτρε-ΐων, son of Ἀτρεύ-ς.

b. Two patronymic endings: Ταλα-ῑ̈ον-ίδη-ς son of Ταλαό-ς.

c. The stem drops or adds a syllable: Δευκαλ-ίδη-ς son of Δευκαλίων, -ίων-ος; Λαμπ-ετ-ίδη-ς son of Λάμπο-ς.

d. -ιδης is used in comic formations: κλεπτ-ίδη-ς son of a thief.

e. -νδᾱς occurs in the dialects, as Ἐπαμεινώνδᾱ-ς Epaminondas.

f. -ιος, -ειος, may indicate descent, as Τελαμώνιε παῖ oh son of Telamon, Τυνδαρείᾱ θυγάτηρ daughter of Tyndareus; cp. Tennyson's “Niobean daughter.”

Denominative · Formation · Patronymics · Relationship · Secondary · Substantives · Suffixes

PLACE

Place may be expressed by the secondary suffixes

1. ιο (nom. -ιο-ν, neut.): Διονῡ́σιον (scil. ἱερόν) temple of Dionysus, Ἥραιον Heraeum.

Also -ε-ιο (nom. -εῖο-ν, neut.): from substantives in -εύ-ς and by extension in others; as χαλκε-ῖο-ν forge (χαλκ-εύ-ς coppersmith), Θησε-ῖον Thesēum (Θησεύ-ς), λογ-εῖο-ν place for speaking (λόγο-ς speech), μουσ-εῖο-ν seat of the Muses (μοῦσα muse), Ὀλυμπι-εῖο-ν Olympiēum (Ὀλύμπιο-ς Olympian Zeus).

2. τηρ-ιο (nom. -τήρ-ιο-ν, neut.): derived from substantives in -τήρ (or -τής); as ἀκροᾱτήρ-ιο-ν auditorium (ἀκροᾱτήρ or ἀκροᾱτής hearer), ἐργαστήρ-ιο-ν workshop (ἐργαστήρ workman), βουλευτήριον senate house (βουλευτήρ or βουλευτής councillor, senator). See 863 a. 8.

3. ων (nom. -ών, gen. -ῶν-ος, masc.): ἀνδρ-ών apartment for men (ἀνήρ, ἀνδρ-ός man), ἱππ-ών stable (ἵππο-ς horse), παρθεν-ών maiden's apartment, Parthenon, temple of Pallas (παρθένο-ς maiden), οἰν-ών wine-cellar (οἶνο-ς wine), ἀμπελ-ών vineyard (ἄμπελο-ς vine). Forms in -εών occur, as περιστερ-εών dove-cote (περιστερᾱ́ dove), οἰνεών.

4. ῑτιδ (nom. -ῖτις, fem.): added to ων, ἀνδρων-ῖτις apartment for men, γυναικωνῖτις apartment for women.

5. ωνιᾱ (nom. -ωνιᾱ́, fem.): ῥοδ-ωνιᾱ́ rose-bed (ῥόδο-ν rose).

6. τρᾱ (rare; nom. -τρᾱ, fem.): ὀρχή-σ-τρᾱ dancing-place (ὀρχέ-ομαι dance), παλαί-σ-τρᾱ wrestling-ground (παλαί-ω wrestle). Cp. 836.

Denominative · Formation · Place · Secondary · Substantives · Suffixes

DIMINUTIVES

Diminutives are denominatives formed from the stems of substantives by various secondary suffixes.

1. ιο (nom. -ιο-ν, neut.): παιδ-ίο-ν little child (παῖς, παιδ-ός), ὀρνῑ́θ-ιο-ν small bird (ὄρνῑς, ὄρνῑθος), ἀσπίδ-ιο-ν small shield (ἀσπίς, ἀσπίδ-ος).

N.—Trisyllabic words are paroxytone if the first syllable is long by nature or position.

2. ιδ-ιο (nom. -ίδιο-ν, neut.): derived from such words as ἀσπίδ-ιο-ν; as ξιφ-ίδιο-ν dagger (ξίφος sword, stem ξιφεσ-), βο-ίδιο-ν small cow (βοῦ-ς), οἰκῑ́διο-ν small house, οἰκι + ιδιον (οἰκίᾱ), ἰχθῡ́διο-ν small fish (ἰχθῡ́ς). See 833 b.

3. αρ-ιο (nom. -άριον, neut.): παιδ-άριο-ν little child.

4. υδ-ριο (nom. -ύδριον, neut.): μελ-ύδριο-ν little song (μέλος).

5. υλλιο (nom. -ύλλιον, neut.): ἐπ-ύλλιο-ν little epic or cersicle (ἔπος).

6. ισκο, ισκᾱ (nom. -ίσκος, masc., -ίσκη, fem.): ἀνθρωπ-ίσκο-ς manikin, παιδ-ίσκο-ς young boy, παιδ-ίσκη young girl. From this comes -ισκ-ιο in ἀσπιδ-ίσκιο-ν small shield.

Accent · Denominative · Diminutives · Formation · Secondary · Substantives · Suffixes

Many other diminutives occur, as ακνᾱ: in πιθάκνη wine-jar (πίθος); ιδ, ῑδ: in ἁμαξίς, -ίδος small wagon (ἅμαξα), νησῑ́ς, -ῖδος islet (νῆσο-ς); ιδ-ευ: of the young of animals, as λυκ-ιδεύς wolf's whelp (λύκο-ς), also ὑϊδεύς son's son, grandson (υἱός); ιχο: ὀρτάλιχος young bird (ὀρταλίς) chick; ιχνᾱ: κυλίχνη (and κυλίχνιον, κυλιχνίς) small cup (κύλιξ). Rare or late are -ᾱκίδιον, -ᾱ́σιον, -άφιον, -ιδάριον, -ισκάριον, ιον, 861. 19, -ύλος, and over 25 others. See λο, 860. 1.

Diminutives · Formation · Substantives · Suffixes

Diminutives are often combined: παιδ-ισκ-άριον stripling, μειράκ-ιον, μειρακ-ίσκος, μειρακ-ύλλ-ιον, μειρακ-υλλ-ίδιον stripling (μεῖραξ lass), χλαν-ισκ-ίδιον cloaklet (χλανίς), ζῳδάριον insect (ζῷον animal).

Diminutives · Formation · Substantives · Suffixes

Some words, especially such as denote parts of the body, are diminutive in form, but not in meaning; as κρᾱνίον skull, θηρίον beast ( = θήρ), πεδίον plain (πέδον ground), all in Homer, who has no diminutives. Diminutives often employed tend to lose their diminutive value.

Diminutives · Formation · Substantives · Suffixes

Diminutives may express affection, familiarity, daintiness, and sometimes pity or contempt (cp. dar-ling, lord-ling). See the examples under 852, and also πατρ-ίδιον daddy (πατήρ), ἀδελφ-ίδιο-ν dear little brother, Σωκρατ-ίδιον dear Socky, ἀνθρώπ-ιον manikin. Some endings often have an ironical force, as πλούτ-ᾱξ rich churl, γάστρ-ων fat-belly.

Diminutives · Formation · Substantives · Suffixes