αγγελοκρούω

Greek

Etymology

From άγγελο(ς) (angel) +‎ κρούω (strike).[1]

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /aŋɟeloˈkruo/
  • Hyphenation: αγ‧γε‧λο‧κρού‧ω

Verb

αγγελοκρούω • (angelokroúo) (past αγγελόκρουσα, passive αγγελοκρούομαι)

  1. (folklore, colloquial, usually in passive voice) to be knocking on heaven's door (literally: struck by the angel of death, hearing the knock of death)
    Αρρώστησα βαριά, αγγελοκρούστηκα, αλλά επέζησα.
    Arróstisa variá, angelokroústika, allá epézisa.
    I became very ill, I was knocking on heaven's door, but I survived.
  2. (figuratively, in active voice) to frighten / scare / terrify to death
    Με αγγελοκρούουν οι σεισμοί. Νομίζω ότι έρχεται η τελευταία μου ώρα.
    Me angelokroúoun oi seismoí. Nomízo óti érchetai i teleftaía mou óra.
    Earthquakes scare me to death. I think my last hour is coming.

Usage notes

  • Often described as a deponent verb, because it is mostly used in the passive voice.

Conjugation

Synonyms

Derived terms

References

  1. ^ αγγελοκρούω, in Λεξικό της κοινής νεοελληνικής [Dictionary of Standard Modern Greek], Triantafyllidis Foundation, 1998 at the Centre for the Greek language