ἵεσθαι + πούς

Validation

Yes

Word-form

ἵππος

Transliteration (Word)

hippos

English translation (word)

horse

Transliteration (Etymon)

hiesthai + pous

English translation (etymon)

to speed oneself + foot

Author

Syrianus

Century

5 AD

Source

Idem

Ref.

Commentarium in Hermogenis librum περὶ στάσεων 48.6-7

Ed.

Syriani in Hermogenem commentaria, 2 vols. ed. H. Rabe, Leipzig, 1893.

Quotation

…καὶ ἵππος ἀπὸ τοῦ ἵεσθαι τοῖς ποσί – ταχύτατον γὰρ τῶν ἐπὶ γῆς –

Translation (En)

…and the "horse" [hippos] originates from "speeding" (hiesthai) the "feet" (posi)  ̶  because it is the fastest among the living creatures on earth

Other translation(s)

...και η ονομασία του ίππου προέρχεται από το 'επιταχύνω' (ἵεσθαι) τα πόδια - γιατί είναι το γρηγορότερο πλάσμα στη γη

Comment

Word ἵππος is treated as a compound one, consisting of verb hiesthai and noun pous, constructing a descriptive etymology to render a physical attribute of this specific animal. Although phonetically hippos and hiesthai only have in common the aspiration and the “i”, hiesthai was obviously considered as appropriate due to the semantic affinity with the feature of speed, the main characteristic of horses. The fact that the same etymology occurs in Damascius too, who was the last Head of the School of Athens and in fact in the same context (with the etymology of ἄνθρωπος), may imply that this specific example could have been integrated in the linguistic discussions of the respective Neoplatonic School in general

Parallels

Damascius De principiis 1.231.16 (… καὶ ἵππος ἀπὸ τοῦ ἵεσθαι τοῖς ποσίν)

Modern etymology

Gr. ἵππος is from *h1ek̑u̯o-, reflected in Lat. equus and Sanskrite áśva- "horse". The Greek word has been remodeled and is not a direct reflex of the Indo-European etymon (see Beekes, EDG)

Persistence in Modern Greek

In ΜG ἵππος is used in “Δούρειος ίππος”, as well as to designate the 'unit of measurement for car engines'. Τo signify the 'horse' MG has άλογο. However, compounds and derivatives with ίππ- are many: ιππικός, ιππόδρομος etc (Triandafyllidis, D. of MG)

Entry By

Chriti