σφηκισμός

Ancient Greek edit

Etymology edit

Only attested as a gloss in Hesychius. From σφήξ (sphḗx, wasp) +‎ -ισμός (-ismós, suffix forming abstract nouns), as if from a verb σφηκίζω (sphēkízō, to buzz like a wasp).

Pronunciation edit

 

Noun edit

σφηκισμός (sphēkismósm (genitive σφηκισμοῦ); second declension

  1. (music, hapax) a form of playing the aulos with a buzzing timbre
    • 5th century C.E., Hesychius of Alexandria, Γλώσσαι, Σ:
      σφηκισμός· εἶδος αὐλήσεως εἰρημένον ἀπὸ τῆς ἐμφερείας τῶν βομ(β)ῶν
      sphēkismós; eîdos aulḗseōs eirēménon apò tês emphereías tôn bom(b)ôn
      sphēkismós: a style of flute-playing, named after its likeness to buzzing sounds

Inflection edit

Further reading edit