δίκαιος + σύνεσις
Word
Validation
Yes
Word-form
δικαιοσύνη
Word-lemma
Transliteration (Word)
dikaiosunē
English translation (word)
justice
Transliteration (Etymon)
dikaios + sunesis
English translation (etymon)
just + understanding
Century
4 BC
Source
Idem
Ref.
Cratylus 412c6-7
Ed.
J. Burnet, Platonis Opera, Oxford UP, 1903
Quotation
Translation (En)
Parallels
There are no parallels
Modern etymology
Δικαιοσύνη is an abstract noun derivated from the adjective δίκαιος, itself derived from δίκη (q.v.)
Persistence in Modern Greek
Δικαιοσύνη is still used in Modern Greek to designate 1. 'justice' in general, 2. the juridicial services of the state (M. Triandafyllidis DMG)
Entry By
Le Feuvre
Comment
The word is analyzed as a compound, instead of a derivative, as all polysyllabic words. The suffix -σύνη is understood as an abstract noun "understanding", in a paronymic etymology, but the meaning is interesting, for δικαιοσύνη, the quality of being just, is different from δίκη "justice" and the gloss "understanding of the just" captures that fairly well