ἕρμα
Word
Validation
No
Word-form
δέρμα
Word-lemma
Etymon-lemma
Transliteration (Word)
derma
English translation (word)
skin, hide
Transliteration (Etymon)
herma
English translation (etymon)
prop, support
Century
11 AD
Source
Idem
Ref.
Etymologica nominum 159
Ed.
R. Reitzenstein, M. Terentius Varro und Johannes Mauropus von Euchaita: eine Studie zur Geschichte der Sprachwissenschaft, Leipzig: Teubner, 1901
Quotation
Τὸ δέρμα δ’ ἕρμα σαρκὸς ἀσθενοῦς, δέρος.
Translation (En)
The skin (derma) is the support (herma) of the weak flesh, the hide (deros)
Parallels
There is no parallel
Modern etymology
Δέρμα is derived from δέρω and originally refers to the skinned hide, as in Homer. By extension it became the general word for "skin", not only of a dead animal but also of a living one, and of human beings
Persistence in Modern Greek
Δέρμα is still used in Modern Greek to designate 'skin' but also 'leather'. It survives in derivatives/compoud too, such as δερματίνη, δερμάτινος, δερματοποιός, δερματέμπορος etc. (M. Triandafyllidis Dictionary of Modern Greek)
Entry By
Le Feuvre
Comment
Derivational etymology relying on a simple formal manipulation, the addition of a consonant at the beginning of the word. The skin is etymologized as the structure supporting the flesh