εὖ + χέω
Word
Validation
Yes
Word-form
εὐχή
Word-lemma
Transliteration (Word)
eukhē
English translation (word)
prayer
Transliteration (Etymon)
eu + kheō
English translation (etymon)
well + to pour
Century
12 AD
Source
Idem
Ref.
Commentarii ad Homeri Odysseam 2, 29
Ed.
G. Stallbaum, Eustathii archiepiscopi Thessalonicensis commentarii ad Homeri Odysseam, 2 vols. in 1, Leipzig: Weigel, 1:1825; 2:1826
Quotation
Δῆλον δὲ ὡς ἡ εὐχὴ καὶ τὸ εὔχεσθαι παρὰ τὸ εὖ χέειν ἤτοι ῥέειν λόγους γίνεται, ἢ μᾶλλον παρὰ τὸ ἔχεσθαι τοῦ εὖ ἤτοι τοῦ ἀρίστου. τοιοῦτον γὰρ ἡ πρὸς τὸ θεῖον ἀνάτασις δι’ εὐχῆς. δύναται δὲ εἶναι εὐχὴ καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ εὖ ἔχειν
Translation (En)
It is clear that eukhē "prayer" and eukhesthai "to pray" come from "to pour (kheein) well (eu)", that is, from the fact that the speech flows well, or rather from the fact that one attaches to the good, that is, the best. Because such is the move towards the divine which is done through prayer. But eukhē can also come from "to be in good condition"
Parallels
This etymology is found here only
Modern etymology
Εὐχή is derived from εὔχομαι, from Indo-European *h1weghw- "speak solemnly". It is cognate with Lat. voveō "to promise solemnly" and Vedic óhate "to praise, to boast" (Beekes, EDG)
Persistence in Modern Greek
Ευχή is still used in Modern Greek with the meanings 1. wish, 2. a special prayer read by an Orthodox priest on special occasions (Triandafyllidis, Dictionary of Modern Greek)
Entry By
Le Feuvre
Comment
The word is analyzed as a compound, and the prayer is presented from the point of view of its production (the words of the prayer have to flow smoothly), which amounts to a descriptive etymology, whereas with the other, more frequent etymology relating it to εὖ ἔχειν (q.v.) it is presented in relation with its aim, as a functional etymology. The same analysis is given for the verb εὔχομαι