ψάω
Word
Validation
Yes
Word-form
ψύλλα
Word-lemma
Etymon-lemma
Transliteration (Word)
psulla
English translation (word)
flea
Transliteration (Etymon)
psaō
English translation (etymon)
to wipe, to rub
Century
1 BC
Reference
fr. *212
Edition
C. Theodoridis, Die Fragmente des Grammatikers Philoxenos [Sammlung griechischer und lateinischer Grammatiker (SGLG) 2]. Berlin: De Gruyter, 1976
Source
Joannes Mauropus
Ref.
Etymologica nominum, 1. 375-376
Ed.
R. Reitzenstein, M. Terentius Varro und Johannes Mauropus von Euchaita: eine Studie zur Geschichte der Sprachwissenschaft, Leipzig: Teubner, 1901
Quotation
Ἐνάλλεται δὲ ψύλλα ταῖς ψύαις πλέον·/ ἢ παρὰ τὸ ψῶ· πᾶν μέρος γὰρ λεπτύνει.
Translation (En)
The "flea" (psylla) leaps onto the muscles (psuais), likely; or from *psō "to rub"; because it weakens every part.
Parallels
No parallel
Modern etymology
Metathesis of the inherited *plus-i/a-, cognate with Sanscrite pluṣi-, Lith. blusà, Arm. lu, Engl. flea. The metathesis may be due to a synchronic etymology relating it to ψάω (Beekes, EDG)
Persistence in Modern Greek
MG has ψύλλος, masculine
Entry By
Eva Ferrer
Comment
Derivational etymology: the flea bites the limbs and weakens them. Unless we must understand that its bite itches, therefore the victims scratch/rub themselves? Reitzenstein attributed this etymology to Philoxenus, which is debatable. Note that Reitzenstein's edition of Joh. Mauropus has μέλος instead of μέρος.