κάρκαρος

Ancient Greek

Etymology

Uncertain.

Seems to agree with Sanskrit कर्कर (karkara, “hard, firm”), but some of its relations (κάρχαρος (kárkharos), καρκίνος (karkínos), and κέρχνος (kérkhnos)) seem to hint at a Pre-Greek origin.

Pronunciation

 

Adjective

κάρκαρος • (kárkaros) m (feminine κάρκαρα, neuter κάρκαρον); first/second declension

  1. The meaning of this term is uncertain. Possibilities include:
    1. rough, jagged
      Synonym: τραχύς (trakhús)

Usage notes

  • Hesychius has the following entries, the latter of which agrees well with attested κάρκαρον (kárkaron, “prison”):
    • 5th century CE, Hesychius Alexandreus, Κ:
      κάρκαροι· τραχεῖς. καὶ δεσμοί.
      kárkaroi; trakheîs. kaì desmoí.
      κάρκαροι: rough, jagged; also bonds
    • 5th century CE, Hesychius Alexandreus, Κ:
      κάρκαρα· […] ἔνιοι τοὺς μάνδρας.
      kárkara; […] énioi toùs mándras.
      κάρκαρα: […] according to some, enclosed spaces.

References

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