κνέφας + λύω
Word
Validation
No
Word-form
κεφαλή
Word-lemma
Transliteration (Word)
kephalē
English translation (word)
head
Transliteration (Etymon)
knephas + luō
English translation (etymon)
obscurity, twilight
Century
11 AD
Source
Idem
Ref.
Etymologica nominum 155
Ed.
R. Reitzenstein, M. Terentius Varro und Johannes Mauropus von Euchaita: eine Studie zur Geschichte der Sprachwissenschaft, Leipzig: Teubner, 1901
Quotation
λύει κνέφας δὲ κεφαλὴ δι’ ὀμμάτων
Translation (En)
The head (kephalē) dissolves (luei) the obscurity (knephas) thanks to the eyes
Parallels
There is no parallel
Modern etymology
Isolated within Greek. Cognate with OHG gebal "skull", Goth. gibla "face", Toch. A śpāl "head" (Beekes, EDG)
Persistence in Modern Greek
Yes
Entry By
Le Feuvre
Comment
Compositional etymology, assuming a *κ(ν)εφα-λ(υ)-ή with dropping of the [n]. The compound is of the usual type Object-Verb. The etymology would be appropriate for "eye", because the eye was considered the source of light in Antiquity, but is not for "head". This is why Mauropus adds δι᾽ὀμμάτων.