κνάπτω

Ancient Greek

Alternative forms

  • γνάπτω (gnáptō)

Etymology

Unknown. It has been connected with several Indo-European words, such as Proto-Celtic *knawī (fleece) and Latvian knābt (to peck). On the other hand, Beekes suggests a Pre-Greek origin for the verb, connecting it κνάφος (knáphos, prickly teasel; carding comb), κνέφαλλον (knéphallon, wool torn off in carding) and κναφεύς (knapheús, fuller).

Pronunciation

 

Verb

κνᾰ́πτω • (knắptō)

  1. to card, comb, to cleanse or disentangle something using a carding device
  2. to mangle, to mutilate, or disfigure by cutting, tearing, rearranging, etc.

Inflection

Derived terms

  • ἀνακνᾰ́πτω (anaknắptō)
  • ἐπικνᾰ́πτω (epiknắptō)
  • κνάπτωρ (knáptōr)

Further reading