The etymology relating ἆθλον to τλάω relies on the contracted form ἆθλον, and on a change of the plain [t] into an aspirate [th] (this remains implicit). From the semantic point of view, it takes into account the process of contest, which implies efforts and pain, and not the goal, whereas the etymology relating the word to ἐθέλω (see ἆθλον / ἐθέλω) takes only the goal into account. The initial a- is probably understood as the intensive prefix alpha, as in the other etymology, but this remains implicit. In fact this etymology seems to be designed rather for the masculine ἆθλος "contest", in which the idea of enduring is relevant, than for the neuter ἆθλον "prize of contest". The coexistence of two etymologies, one on the uncontracted form (ἄεθλον / α- + ἐθέλω) and one on the contracted form (ἆθλον / α- + τλάω), shows clearly the ahistorical character of Greek etymology since ἆθλον is etymologized without being first referred to the older form ἄεθλον, for which the etymology α- + τλάω cannot account. Theodoridis attributes with hesitation the etymology to Philoxenus (among the Fragmenta dubia)