Ancient Greek edit

Etymology edit

The basis of this verb is either σκαπ- or σκαφ-. In the first case, the relic Latin scapulae (shoulder blades) has been compared, assuming that it originally meant "shovel" as a primary agent noun. In the second case, σκάπτω (skáptō) could formally correspond to a verb for "plane, scratch", in Latin scabō (to scratch, scrape), Proto-Germanic *skabaną (to shave, scrape), Lithuanian skabiù (to scoop out with a chisel), to which the Slavic group of Russian ско́бель (skóbelʹ, spokeshave) is connected, suggesting a derivation from Proto-Indo-European *skabʰ- (to scratch). Connection with σκήπτω (skḗptō, to prop, stay) and σκίπων (skípōn, staff, crutch) is formally and semantically unfeasible. Considering that related terms, like κάπετος (kápetos, ditch, trench), σκάφαλος (skáphalos, one who draws water) and σκαφλεύς (skaphleús), seem to be Pre-Greek, Beekes suggests that the verb could be a loan from a European substrate language.

Pronunciation edit

 

Verb edit

σκᾰ́πτω (skáptō)

  1. to dig
    Synonyms: λᾰχαίνω (lakhaínō), ὀρῠ́σσω (orússō)
  2. to dig, delve, for cultivation
  3. to dig about, cultivate by digging

Inflection edit

Derived terms edit

Descendants edit

  • Greek: σκάβω (skávo)

Further reading edit