ξεφτέρι

Greek

Etymology

Inherited from Byzantine Greek ξεφτέριν (xephtérin)^[1] < ξυπτέριν < ἐξυπτέριον, from Koine Greek ὀξυπτέριον n (oxuptérion, “hawk”) with assimilation of pronunciation [pt] > [ft]^[2] and with the influence of ξε- (xe-).^[3] a diminutive of Ancient Greek ὀξύπτερος (oxúpteros, “sharp-winged, hence swift-winged”) < ὀξύς (oxús) + πτερ(όν) n (pter(ón), “wing”) + -ος (-os). Compare to ὠκύπτερος (ōkúpteros, “swift-winged”) and the etymologies of ὀξύς (oxús, “sharp”) and ὠκύς (ōkús, “quick”).
Cognate with Pontic Greek ξυφτέριν (xyftérin) and akin to τσίφτης (tsíftis) and Albanian qift. Probably, not related^[3] to the Latin accipiter from acus.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /kseˈfte.ɾi/
Hyphenation: ξε‧φτέ‧ρι

Noun

ξεφτέρι • (xeftéri) n (plural ξεφτέρια)

(bird) Eurasian sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)
(figuratively, informal) bright spark, quickwitted, intelligent
see: έξυπνος (éxypnos, “intelligent”)

Declension

Declension of **ξεφτέρι**
	singular	plural
nominative	ξεφτέρι (xeftéri)	ξεφτέρια (xeftéria)
genitive	ξεφτεριού (xefterioú)	ξεφτεριών (xefterión)
accusative	ξεφτέρι (xeftéri)	ξεφτέρια (xeftéria)
vocative	ξεφτέρι (xeftéri)	ξεφτέρια (xeftéria)

References

^ ξεφτέρι - Kriaras, Emmanuel (1969-) Επιτομή του Λεξικού της Μεσαιωνικής Ελληνικής Δημώδους Γραμματείας (Epitomí tou Lexikoú tis Mesaionikís Ellinikís Dimódous Grammateías) [Concise Dictionary of the Kriaras' Dictionary of Medieval Vulgar Greek Literature (1100–1669) Vols. 1–14. Vols 15- under I. Kazazes.)] (in Greek), Thessaloniki: Centre for the Greek language Online edition (abbreviations) Printed edition 2022: 22 vols.)
^ ξεφτέρι, in Λεξικό της κοινής νεοελληνικής [Dictionary of Standard Modern Greek], Triantafyllidis Foundation, 1998 at the Centre for the Greek language
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 ξεφτέρι - Babiniotis, Georgios (2010) Ετυμολογικό λεξικό της νέας ελληνικής γλώσσας Etymologikó lexikó tis néas ellinikís glóssas [Etymological Dictionary of Modern Greek language] (in Greek), Athens: Lexicology Centre