Ancient Greek

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Etymology

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Of unknown origin. Traditionally compared with Lithuanian spingiù (to glitter), as well as with Old High German funko (spark), but this suggestion is impossible in view of the initial stops. Other theories taking the word as a contamination of an unattested *σπέγγος (*spéngos) and φάος (pháos, light) are farfetched.[1]

Pronunciation

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Noun

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φέγγος (phéngosn (genitive φέγγεος or φέγγους); third declension

  1. light, splendour, lustre
  2. moonlight
    Antonym: φάος (pháos)
  3. light of torches or fire
  4. light of the eyes
  5. (figuratively) delight, glory, pride

Inflection

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Derived terms

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Descendants

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  • Italiot Greek: fengo
  • Pontic Greek: φέγγος (féngos)

References

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  1. ^ Beekes, Robert S. P. (2010) “φέγγος”, in Etymological Dictionary of Greek (Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series; 10), with the assistance of Lucien van Beek, Leiden, Boston: Brill, →ISBN, pages 1559-60

Further reading

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