External object

The direct object is of two kinds:

a. The internal object (object effected): ὁ ἀνὴρ τύπτει πολλᾱ̀ς πληγᾱ́ς the man strikes many blows.

N. 1.—Here the object is already contained (or implied) in the verb, and its addition is optional. The accusative of the internal object is sometimes called the accusative of content. The object stands in apposition to the result of the verbal action. The effect produced by the verb is either (1) transient, when the object is a nomen actionis, and disappears with the operation of the verb, as in μάχην μάχεσθαι to fight a battle, or (2) permanent, and remains after the verbal action has ceased, as in τεῖχος τειχίζειν to build a wall. The latter form is the accusative of result (1578).

N. 2.—Almost any verb may take one of the varieties of the internal object.

b. The external object (object affected): ὁ ἀνὴρ τύπτει τὸν παῖδα the man strikes the boy.

N.—Here the object is not contained in the verb, but is necessary to explain or define the character of the action in question. The external object stands outside the verbal action.

Many verbs may take an accusative either of the external or of the internal object: τέμνειν ῡ̔́λην fell timber, τέμνειν τᾱ̀ς τρίχας cut off the hair, τέμνειν ὁδόν open a road, but σπονδᾱ̀ς or ὅρκια τέμνειν, with a specialized verbal idea, to make a treaty by slaying a victim (pass. ὅρκια ἐτμήθη), τέμνειν ὁδόν make one's way (poet.), τειχίζειν χωρίον fortify a place, but τειχίζειν τεῖχος build a wall. Cp. E. Supp. 1060: A. νῑκῶσα νῑ́κην τίνα; μαθεῖν χρῄζω σέθεν. B. πᾱ́σᾱς γυναῖκας, κτλ. A. Victorious in what victory? This I would learn of thee. B. Over all women. Here the construction shifts from the internal to the external object.