ὀρφώς

Ancient Greek

Alternative forms

  • ὄρφος (órphos), ὀρφώ (orphṓ), ὀρφών (orphṓn), ὀρφῶς (orphôs)

Etymology

Unknown. Formation like the fish names λαγώς (lagṓs) and ἀχαρνώς (akharnṓs). Often compared to ὄρφνη (órphnē, darkness of night), with reference to the color, but unclear in detail. Connected with ὀρφανός (orphanós, orphan) by Bechtel, but without semantic argumentation; perhaps because of its solitary way of life.

Pronunciation

 

Noun

ὀρφώς • (orphṓsm (genitive ὀρφώ); second declension

  1. dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus)

Inflection

Derived terms

  • ὀρφακίνη (orphakínē)
  • ὀρφεύς (orpheús)
  • ὀρφίσκος (orphískos)

Descendants

  • Greek: ροφός (rofós)
  • Latin: orphus
  • Old Armenian: որփոս (orpʻos)

Further reading