κνίζω

Ancient Greek

Etymology

Based on the stem forms κνιδ-, κνισ- (knid-, knis-), likely from a Proto-Indo-European *kneyd- (to scratch, knock), from *ken- (to scratch; scrape; rub). Cognates include Latvian knidêt (to itch, geminate, creep), Proto-Germanic *hnītaną (to push, knock), Middle Irish cned (wound). A root-final -t- is found as well, like in Lithuanian kni̇̀sti (to scratch, itch, tickle); a root-final -s- occurs in Lithuanian knisù (to grub up). Despite superficial similarities, probably not related to κνῑ́δη (knī́dē, stinging nettle), due to the latter's long vowel.[1]

Pronunciation

 

Verb

κνῐ́ζω • (knĭ́zō)

  1. to scratch, gash
    Synonym: κνήθω (knḗthō)
  2. to pound, chop up or grate
  3. to tickle, titillate
    Synonym: γᾰργᾰλῐ́ζω (gărgălĭ́zō)
  4. (of feelings) to chafe, tease, provoke

Inflection

Derived terms

  • ἀποκνῐ́ζω (apoknĭ́zō)
  • δῐᾰκνῐ́ζω (dĭăknĭ́zō)
  • ἐπῐκνῐ́ζω (epĭknĭ́zō)
  • κᾰτᾰκνῐ́ζω (kătăknĭ́zō)
  • κνῐ́ζᾰ (knĭ́ză)
  • κνῐ́ς (knĭ́s)
  • κνῐ́σμᾰ (knĭ́smă)
  • κνῐσμός (knĭsmós)
  • ὑποκνῐ́ζω (hupoknĭ́zō)
  • φῐλόκνῐσος (phĭlóknĭsos)

References

  1. ^ Beekes, Robert S. P. (2010), “κνίζω”, in Etymological Dictionary of Greek (Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series; 10), with the assistance of Lucien van Beek, Leiden, Boston: Brill, →ISBN, page 724

Further reading