σῶμα + φρουρέω

Validation

Yes

Word-form

σωφροσύνην

Transliteration (Word)

sōfrosunē

English translation (word)

soundness of mind

Transliteration (Etymon)

sōma + phroureō

English translation (etymon)

body + to watch

Author

Pseudo-Athanasius of Alexandria

Century

4 AD?

Source

Idem

Ref.

Liber de definitionibus, Migne, MPG vol. 28, p. 552

Ed.

Migne, Patrologia Graeca, Paris, 1857-1866

Quotation

Σωφροσύνη ἢ κατὰ τὸ σῶα φρονεῖν ἢ διὰ τὸ σῶμα φρουρεῖν ἀπὸ ῥύπου

Translation (En)

Sōphrosunē "soundness of mind" is thus called from "to have sound thoughts" (sōa phroneîn), or because it keeps (phroureîn) the body (sōma) from filth

Comment

This etymology appears with Christian authors, and is intimately linked with the idea that sōphrosunē, which in Christian authors means "temperance", is what preserves men from sin. This is why it can sometimes be taken, in a Christian context, as an equivalent for "virginity" (see Etym. Gudianum). From the formal point of view, the etymology analyses sōphrosunē as a portmanteau word combining the first syllable of sōma "body" with the first syllable of phroureō "to keep"

Parallels

Anastasius Syn., Viae dux 2, 8 (idem); Etym. Gudianum, sigma p. 520 (σωφροσύνη ἢ κατὰ τὸ σῶα φρονεῖν ἢ διὰ τὸ σῶμα φρουρεῖν ἀπὸ ῥύπου. καὶ εἰς τὸ παρθενίαν) ; Etym. Magnum, Kallierges p. 742 (σωφροσύνη: παρὰ τὸ σῴζειν τὸ φρονεῖν· ἢ παρὰ τὸ σῶμα φρουρεῖν ἀπὸ ῥύπου· ἢ διὰ τὸ σῶα φρονεῖν)

Modern etymology

Derivative from σώφρων "wise", from σῶς (σάος) "safe and sound" + φρήν

Persistence in Modern Greek

The word is still used in Modern Greek with the meaning 'prudence'

Entry By

Le Feuvre