δαιδάλλω

Ancient Greek

Etymology

The relation between this verb and the adjective δαίδᾰλος (daídălos, curiously wrought) is debated. Leumann started from a Mediterranean word *δαίδᾰλον (*daídălon, ornament), from which this verb and the compound πολῠδαίδᾰλος (polŭdaídălos, rich in ornament) would be derived. Others have taken the verb, which was thought to be an intensive reduplicated formation, as the starting point. Within Greek δέλτος (déltos, writing tablet) and δηλέομαι (dēléomai, to hurt, damage, spoil, waste) have been compared; further δάλλει (dállei, to do wrong) and δόλων (dólōn, poniard, stiletto). Not related are several words for "build, split" in other Indo-European languages, like Latin dolō (to hew) and Old Irish delb (form, shape, appearance, statue). Instead, Beekes considers Pre-Greek origin, for instance through a connection with the personal name Δαίδαλος (Daídalos).

Pronunciation

 

Verb

δαιδᾰ́λλω • (daidắllō)

  1. (active voice) to work cunningly, embellish, adorn
  2. (passive voice) to be spotted or marked

Inflection

Derived terms

  • δαιδᾰ́λεος (daidắleos)
  • δαιδᾰλεύτρῐ́ᾱ (daidăleútrĭ́ā)
  • δαίδᾰλμᾰ (daídălmă)
  • δαιδᾰλόεις (daidălóeis)
  • δαίδᾰλος (daídălos)
  • δαιδᾰλουργός (daidălourgós)
  • δαιδᾰλόχειρ (daidălókheir)
  • δαιδᾰλόω (daidălóō)

Further reading