Topic · from the English index · as printed
Periphrasis
§3041SOME GRAMMATICAL AND RHETORICAL FIGURESPeriphrasis (περίφρασις circumlocution) is the use of more words than are necessary to express an idea. θρέμματα Νείλου nurslings of the Nile = the Egyptians P. L. 953e, οἰδίπου κά…
possessive genitive with neuter article
§1299GENITIVE OF POSSESSION OR BELONGINGThe possessive genitive is used with the neuter article (singular or plural) denoting affairs, conditions, power, and the like: τὸ τῶν ἐφόρων the power of the ephors P. L. 712d, τὸ…
expressions equivalent to transitive verb with accusative
§1598EXTERNAL OBJECT (OBJECT AFFECTED)The accusative is rarely found after verbal nouns and adjectives, and in periphrastic expressions equivalent to a transitive verb. (This usage is post-Homeric and chiefly poetical.…
with γίγνομαι and substantive
§1710ACTIVE VOICEInstead of the active, a periphrasis with γίγνεσθαι may be used, often to express solemnity. μηνῡταὶ γίγνονται they turned informers T. 3.2, μὴ ὑβριστὴς γέϝῃ ‘do not be guilty of o…
§1754PASSIVE VOICEThe passive of the periphrasis with ποιεῖσθαι (1722) is made with <*>εσθαι: so εἰρήνη γίγνεται peace is made.
with ποιέομαι and ποιέω
§1722MIDDLE VOICEUnder the indirect middle belong the periphrases of ποιεῖσθαι with verbal nouns instead of the simple verb (cp. 1754). ποιεῖν with the same nouns means to bring about, effect, fash…
with δεῖ and χρή
§1807SUBJUNCTIVE WITHOUT ἄνThe deliberative subjunctive may be replaced by a periphrasis with δεῖ or χρή and the infinitive, or by the verbal adjective in -τέον ἐστί. Thus, ἡμεῖς δὲ προσμένωμεν; ἢ τί χρὴ ποι…
with εἰμί and present participle
§1857STAGE OF ACTIONFor the ‘progressive’ tenses of English (is walking, has been giving, etc.) Greek has no exact equivalent. The periphrasis of the present participle with ἐστί, etc. is employed to …
§1961PERIPHRASTIC TENSESWith εἰμί.—The present and perfect participle are freely used with the forms of εἰμί to form a periphrasis, especially when the participle has an adjectival character (1857): ἡγεῖ …
§1962PERIPHRASTIC TENSESThe aorist participle is rarely so used, since it denotes a single act, not a characteristic: ἦσαν δέ τινες καὶ γενόμενοι τῷ Νῑκίᾳ λόγοι πρότερον πρός τινας and communications betw…
future (with μέλλω)
§1959PERIPHRASTIC TENSESPeriphrastic Future.—A periphrastic future is formed by μέλλω I am about to, intend to, am (destined) to, am likely to (strictly think) with the present or future (rarely the aoris…
with ἔμελλον
§1960PERIPHRASTIC TENSESἔμελλον is used of past intention in ἔμελλε καταλῡ́ειν he was about to stop for the night X. A. 1.8.1, τοὺς ἔσπλους κλῄσειν ἔμελλον they intended to close the entrances T. 4.8. ἔμε…
with ἔχω and participle
§1963PERIPHRASTIC TENSESWith ἔχω.—The periphrasis with ἔχω and the aorist participle is analogous to the perfect in meaning, and emphasizes the permanence of the result attained (chiefly in Hdt. and the d…
with γίγνομαι and participle
§1964PERIPHRASTIC TENSESWith γίγνομαι.—The forms of γίγνομαι often combine with a participle to form periphrases. Thus, μὴ σαυτὸν . . . κτείνᾱς γένῃ lest thou destroy thyself S. Ph. 773; in prose this per…
with φαίνομαι and participle
§1965PERIPHRASTIC TENSESWith φαίνομαι.—The aorist participle is used periphrastically with forms of φαίνομαι. Thus, οὐχ ὑπὲρ ῡ̔μῶν οὐδὲ τῶν νόμων φροντίσᾱς οὐδ᾽ ἀγανακτήσᾱς φανήσεται it will appear that h…