ψόα

Ancient Greek

Alternative forms

  • ψύα (psúa)

Etymology

The word is related to similar words meaning "foxes", like ψειαί (pseiaí), ψίαι (psíai), φοῦαι (phoûai) and φύλλες (phúlles). These variations cannot be all understood in Indo-European terms. The connection with ὀσφῦς (osphûs, hips or loins), suggested by Prellwitz, is quite possible. According to Beekes, the word is clearly Pre-Greek.

Pronunciation

 

Noun

ψόᾱ • (psóāf (genitive ψόᾱς); first declension

  1. (anatomy) muscles of the loins

Inflection

Descendants

  • English: psoas

Further reading