Ancient Greek edit

Etymology edit

From στένω (sténō, to moan, lament) +‎ -άζω (-ázō, frequentative suffix).

Pronunciation edit

 

Verb edit

στενάζω (stenázō)

  1. (intransitive) to sigh, moan, wail
    • 472 BCE, Aeschylus, The Persians 1046–1047:
      Ξέρξης: ἔρεσσ’ ἔρεσσε καὶ στέναζ’ ἐμὴν χάριν.
      Χορός: αἰαῖ αἰαῖ, δύα δύα.
      Xérxēs: éress’ éresse kaì sténaz’ emḕn khárin.
      Khorós: aiaî aiaî, dúa dúa.
      Xerxes: Beat, beat and wail for my sake.
      Chorus: Ay, ay, woe, woe!
  2. (transitive) to bewail, lament

Usage notes edit

In tragedy, this verb frequently occurs in close proximity to interjections like οἴμοι (oímoi, woe is me) and αἰαῖ (aiaî).

Conjugation edit

Derived terms edit

Further reading edit