στάχυς

Ancient Greek

Etymology

Traditionally derived from Proto-Indo-European *stngʰ-u-s, from a root *ste(n)gʰ- (to stick), and compared with Proto-Germanic *stinganą (to sting, stick out), Lithuanian stangùs (fixed, stiff), Latvian stingt (to harden). However, in addition to the accentuation of the Baltic terms implying a more likely proto-form of *steng-, the variant ἄσταχυς (ástakhus) could also suggest a Pre-Greek origin, which is endorsed by Beekes; see also στόνυξ (stónux, sharp point) and στόχος (stókhos, erection of stone).[1]

Pronunciation

(Attic, Ionic, later poetic, etc.):

 

(Homeric Epic):

 

Noun

στᾰ́χῡ̆ς • (stắkhū̆sm (genitive στᾰ́χῠος); third declension

  1. an ear of grain
  2. scion, progeny
  3. lower part of the abdomen
  4. base horehound (Stachys germanica)
  5. surgical bandage
  6. (biblical) shibboleth

Declension

Derived terms

  • Στᾰ́χῡ̆ς (Stắkhū̆s)

Descendants

  • Koine Greek: στάχυον (stákhuon)
  • Translingual: Stachys

References

  1. ^ Beekes, Robert S. P. (2010), “στάχυς, -υος”, in Etymological Dictionary of Greek (Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series; 10), with the assistance of Lucien van Beek, Leiden, Boston: Brill, →ISBN, page 1392

Further reading