Compounds

Words containing a single stem are called simple words, as λόγο-ς speech; words containing two or more stems are called compound words, as λογο-γράφο-ς speech-writer.

In compound words (as in προορᾶν to foresee, from πρό + ὁρᾶν) the rough breathing is not written, though it must often have been pronounced: cp. ἐξέδρᾱ a hall with seats, Lat. exhedra, exedra, πολυίστωρ very learned, Lat. polyhistor. On Attic inscriptions in the old alphabet (2 a) we find ΕΥΗΟΡΚΟΝ εὐὅρκον faithful to one's oath.

A compound word is formed by the union of two or more parts; as λογο-γράφο-ς speech-writer, δι-έξ-οδο-ς outlet (lit. way out through).

a. Compounds of three or more parts usually fall into two separate units; as βατραχο-μῡο-μαχίᾱ battle of the frogs-and-mice. Such compounds are common in comedy; as στρεψο-δικο-παν-ουργίᾱ rascally perversion of justice.

b. In a compound word two or more members are united under one accent; as in bláckberry contrasted with black berry. Most compounds in Greek, an inflected language, are genuine compounds, not mere word-groups such as are common in English, which is for the most part devoid of inflections.

c. Every compound contains a defining part and a defined part. The defining part usually precedes: εὐ-τυχής fortunate, as opposed to δυσ-τυχής unfortunate. The parts of a compound stand in various syntactical relations to each other, as that of adjective or attributive genitive to a substantive, or that of adverb or object to a verb, etc. Compounds may thus be regarded as abbreviated forms of syntax. Cp. 895 a, 897 N. 1.

Compounds generally have recessive accent, as φιλό-τῑμος loving-<*> (τῑμή). But there are many exceptions, e.g.—

a. P<*>tives in -ᾱ́, -ή, -ής, -εύς, -μός, and -έος usually keep their accent when compoun<*>; except dissyllabic words in -ᾱ́, -ή, -ής whose first part is not a preposition. Thus, κριτής judge, ὑποκριτής actor, ὀνειροκρίτης interpreter of dreams.

b. Compound adjectives in -ης, -ες are usually oxytone: εὐ-γενής well-born.

Compounds in -ος (not -τος or -κος) formed by the union of a noun or adverb and the stem of a transitive verb are:

a. <*> when they have a long penult and an active meaning: στρατ-ηγός general.

b. <*> when they have short penult and an active meaning: πατροκτ<*> <*>icide, λιθο-βόλος throwing-stones, λαιμο-τόμος throat-cutting, ὑδροφο<*> <*>ter-carrier.

c. propar<*>, when they have a short penult and passive meaning: πατρόκτο<*> <*>ain by a father, λιθό-βολος pelted with stones, λαιμό-τομος with thr<*> out, αὐτό-γραφος written with one's own hand.

N.—A<*> compounds of -οχος (ἔχ-ω, 878), -αρχος (ἄρχ-ω), -σῡλος (σῡλά-ω rob<*> -πο<*> (πέρθ-ω destroy) are proparoxytone; ἡνί-οχος (rein-holder) charioteer, <*> commander of horses, ἱερό-σῡλος temple-robber, πτολί-πορθος sacking cities. <*> staff-bearer (ῥαβδός) is contracted from ῥαβδό-οχος.

Flectional Compounds.—A compound whose first part is a case form, not a stem, is called a flectional compound (cp. sportsman, kinsfolk): (1) nominative: τρεισ-καί-δεκα thirteen; (2) genitive: Διόσ-κουροι Dioscuri (sons of Zeus), Ἑλλήσ-ποντος Helle's sea, Πελοπόν-νησος (for Πελοποσ-νησος, 105 a) Pelops' island; (3) dative: δορί-ληπτος won by the spear; (4) locative: ὁδοι-πόρος wayfarer, Πυλοι-γενής born in Pylus.—From such compounds derivatives may be formed, as Ἑλλησπόντιος of the Hellespont, θεοισεχθρίᾱ hatred of the gods.