Ἀφροδίτη

Ancient Greek

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Etymology

The theonym is found in Homer and Hesiod (ca. 8th century BC). Apparently it is a compound ἀφρο-δίτη, and the traditional explanation connects the first part with ἀφρός "foam". There is no etymology generally accepted in scholarship. Some propose that the name in its entirety is a loan from a non-Greek language. Others propose a Greek etymology. The latter usually connect the -δίτη with the verb δέατο, "(to shine,) to appear, seem" (Homeric δῆλος "visible, conspicuous, clear") and interpret the name as originating as a title of the dawn goddess.

Pronunciation

Proper noun

Ἀφροδίτη (genitive Ἀφροδίτης) f, first declension; (Aphrodītē)

  1. Aphrodite

Inflection

Derived terms

  • Ἀφροδίσια

Descendants

References

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Last modified on 17 May 2012, at 18:43