ξε-

Greek

Alternative forms

• ξ- (x-) (before [a], but also other vowels)

Etymology

Ancient Greek ἐκ- (ek-), ἐξ- (ex-), through metanalysis with the temporal augment -ε- (-e-):

Ancient ἐκγράφω (ekgráphō), aorist indicative ἐξέγραψα (exégrapsa) becomes Modern ξέγραψα (xégrapsa), backformed present ξεγράφω (xegráfo)

Doublet of εκ- (ek-).

Prefix

ξε- or ξέ- • (xe- or xé-)

1. un-, de- (expressing the opposite, cancellation or removal of a condition)

   ‎ξε- (xe-) + ‎κλειδώνω (kleidóno, “to lock”) → ‎ξεκλειδώνω (xekleidóno, “unlock”)

   ‎ξε- (xe-) + ‎μεθάω (metháo, “get drunk”) → ‎ξεμεθάω (xemetháo, “sober up”)

   ‎ξε- (xe-) + ‎καρφώνω (karfóno, “to nail”) → ‎ξεκαρφώνω (xekarfóno, “unnail”)

   ‎ξε- (xe-) + ‎ιδρώνω (idróno, “sweat”) → ‎ξεϊδρώνω (xeïdróno, “unsweat”)

2. totally

   ‎ξε- (xe-) + ‎κουφαίνω (koufaíno, “deafen”) → ‎ξεκουφαίνω (xekoufaíno, “deafen completely”)

3. (diminutive, little by little, or secretive sense)

   ‎ξε- (xe-) + ‎μακραίνω (makraíno, “distance myself”) → ‎ξεμακραίνω (xemakraíno, “distance myself little by little”)

4. (colloquial) (expressing objection, indifference. Usually in set phrases)

   ‎ξε- (xe-) + ‎μα (ma, “but”) → ‎ξεμά (xemá, “not but”)

Derived terms

• Greek terms prefixed with ξε-
• Greek terms prefixed with ξ-