ψόα
Word
Validation
Yes
Word-form
ψύλλα
Word-lemma
Etymon-lemma
Transliteration (Word)
psulla
English translation (word)
flea
Transliteration (Etymon)
psoa
English translation (etymon)
muscle
Century
11 AD
Source
idem
Ref.
Etymologica nominum, 1. 375
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·
Translation (En)
The "flea" (psylla) leaps onto the muscles (psuais), likely
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
Le Feuvre
Comment
Derivational etymology relying on the by-form of the noun ψόα, which is also found as ψύα. The flea is etymologized after the body part it bites more often.