κέρκος

Ancient Greek

Etymology

Of Pre-Greek origin. Compare κερκίς (kerkís).

Pronunciation

 

Noun

κέρκος • (kérkosf (genitive κέρκου); second declension

  1. the tail of a beast
  2. a penis
  3. a handle
    • 125 CE – 200 CE, Lucian, Lexiphanes 7
  4. a small animal that attacks grapevines
    • 5th century CE, Hesychius Alexandreus, Συναγωγὴ Πασῶν Λέξεων κατὰ Στοιχεῖον
    1. synonym of ἀλεκτρυών (alektruṓn)
      • 5th century CE, Hesychius Alexandreus, Συναγωγὴ Πασῶν Λέξεων κατὰ Στοιχεῖον
  5. a tongue of flame
  6. (Byzantine) a stake, picket, or pale
    • ScriptOr 259.21
  7. (Byzantine) a burin (a chisel-like tool used for engraving)
    • VAndR e.69E

Declension

Derived terms

Descendants

  • Translingual: ?Cercomacra, Cercopithecus, ?Onchocerca, Ptilocercus (generic names); Cercozoa (phylum)
  • English: cysticercus
  • Latin: cercus (New Latin)

References