εἴρω
Word
Validation
No
Word-form
εἶρος
Word-lemma
Etymon-lemma
Transliteration (Word)
eiros
English translation (word)
wool
Transliteration (Etymon)
eirō
English translation (etymon)
to fasten together
Century
9 AD
Source
idem
Ref.
Epimerismi in Psalmos, p. 187
Ed.
T. Gaisford, Georgii Choerobosci epimerismi in Psalmos, vol. 3, Oxford, 1842
Quotation
Ἔριον, παρὰ τὸ εἶρος. [τοῦτο παρὰ τὸ εἴρω, τὸ συμπλέκω, ἢ παρὰ τὸ ἐρῶ, τὸ ἐπιθυμῶ]
Translation (En)
Erion "wool", from eiros "wool". The latter from eirō "to fasten together". Or from eraō "to desire"
Parallels
Etym. Gudianum Additamenta, epsilon, p. 524 (idem); Etym. Magnum, Kallierges, p. 508 (Κειρία: […] Ἢ παρὰ τὸ εἴρω, τὸ συμπλέκω, εἰρία· καὶ πλεονασμῷ τοῦ κ)
Modern etymology
The older form is εἶρος < *werwes-, cognate with Lat. vervex "wether" (Beekes, EDG)
Persistence in Modern Greek
MG still has έριο as a learned word, referring to wool as matter. The usual word is μαλλί
Entry By
Le Feuvre
Comment
Derivational functional etymology. The function of wool is to be spun by fastening together the fibers, in order to provide threads that can be used. This etymology is valid for the old form εἶρος, or its derivative εἴριον, but not directly for the Attic form ἔριον