Ancient Greek edit

Etymology edit

Probably from Pre-Greek, especially in view of the cluster -γχ- (-nkh-), which points to prenasalization in Pre-Greek terms. Compare καγκύλας (kankúlas, mussel) and κόχλος (kókhlos, spiral conch, snail), which both exhibit conclusively Pre-Greek variation.
Possibly related to Sanskrit शङ्ख (śaṅkhá-, conch, mussel), but not by common inheritance from Proto-Indo-European.[1] Doublet of κόγχος (kónkhos).

Pronunciation edit

 

Noun edit

κόγχη (kónkhēf (genitive κόγχης); first declension

  1. mussel, cockle
    1. shell-full
  2. anything like a mussel shell, especially a shell-like cavity in the body:
    1. (anatomy) hollow of the ear
    2. (anatomy) kneepan
  3. case around a seal attached to documents
  4. niche for a statue; apse
  5. (geometry) fourth part of a sphere
  This entry needs quotations to illustrate usage. If you come across any interesting, durably archived quotes then please add them!

Inflection edit

Derived terms edit

Related terms edit

Descendants edit

  • Latin: concha (see there for further descendants)

References edit

  1. ^ Beekes, Robert S. P. (2010) “κόγχη”, in Etymological Dictionary of Greek (Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series; 10), with the assistance of Lucien van Beek, Leiden, Boston: Brill, →ISBN, page 728

Further reading edit