ποτός + ἅμα
Word
Validation
No
Word-form
ποταμῶν
Word-lemma
Transliteration (Word)
potamos
English translation (word)
river
Transliteration (Etymon)
potos + hama
English translation (etymon)
drinkable + together
Century
11 AD
Source
Idem
Ref.
Etymologica nominum 67
Ed.
R. Reitzenstein, M. Terentius Varro und Johannes Mauropus von Euchaita: eine Studie zur Geschichte der Sprachwissenschaft, Leipzig: Teubner, 1901
Quotation
ἄθρουν ποτὸν δὲ ῥεῖθρα ποταμῶν ἅμα.
Translation (En)
The flows of the rivers (potamôn) <inidcate> a large quantity of drinkable water (poton) at the same time (hama)
Parallels
There is no parallel
Modern etymology
Probably derived from the root found in πέτομαι "to fly, to rush", referring to the quick motion of water (Beekes, EDG, who, however, concludes the etymology is uncertain)
Persistence in Modern Greek
Ποταμός is used with ποτάμι (neut.) in MG as 1. 'river' and 'massive flow'. Ποταμός, diminutive ποτάμιον, ποτάμι were used in Med. Greek (Em. Kriaras Dict. of Mediev. Vernacular Greek, vol. 17, s.v.). In MG there also are many derivatives and compounds.
Entry By
Le Feuvre
Comment
Compositional etymology, of which there is no other instance. The first member of the compound is ποτόν "drink" (see ποταμός / ποτός) and the second member is identified as an adverb. No formal change is required, the elision of [o] before ἅμα and that of [a] before the ending are regular.