γεννάω
Word
Validation
Yes
Word-form
γένυς
Word-lemma
Etymon-lemma
Transliteration (Word)
genus
English translation (word)
jaw
Transliteration (Etymon)
gennaō
English translation (etymon)
to generate
Century
5 AD
Source
Idem
Ref.
Etymologicum, gamma, p. 40
Ed.
F.W. Sturz, Orionis Thebani etymologicon, Leipzig, 1820
Quotation
Γένυς. οἷον †κέρυς τὶς οὖσα, ὅτι κένος τὸ κατ’ αὐ τὸν μέρος ὀστέων. οἱ δὲ, ὅτι γεννᾷ ὀδόντας καὶ τρίχας
Translation (En)
Genus "jaw", as if it were a †kerus, because it is empty (kenos) of bones in the bottom part. Others say that it is because it generates (gennâi) teeth and hair
Parallels
Etym. Gudianum, gamma, p. 305 (παρὰ τὸ γεννᾶν ὀδόντας καὶ τρίχας); Meletius, De natura hominis p. 74 (γένυς δὲ λέγεται ἐκ τοῦ τὰ γένη διαχωρίζειν τῶν ἀῤῥένων καὶ τῶν θηλειῶν, καὶ τελείων καὶ ἀτελῶν· ἢ ὅτι γεννᾶ ὀδόντας καὶ τρίχας), repeated in Leo Medicus, De natura hominum synopsis 46.
Modern etymology
Γένυς "jaw, cheek" is an inherited Indo-European word, cognate with Lat. gena "cheek", Skr. hanu- "jaw-bone", Gothic kinnu "chin", and Engl. chin (Beekes, EDG)
Persistence in Modern Greek
No
Entry By
Le Feuvre
Comment
This etymology relies on paronymy, with an attempt at a functional semantic justification.