-άκης
Greek
editAlternative forms
edit- -άκις (-ákis)
Etymology
editFrom Byzantine Greek -άκης (-ákēs), or “more correct -άκις (-ákis)[1]” from -άκ(ι) < -άκ(ιν) < -άκ(ιον), diminutive suffix (for neuters) + -ης suffix for masculine.[2]
Suffix
edit-άκης • (-ákis) m
- Gives a diminutive form of a masculine first name:
- An ending for family names, chiefly Cretan, also of diminutive derivation (See Usage Notes)
- Θεόδωρος (Theódoros) + -άκης (-ákis) → Θεοδωράκης (Theodorákis)
- η οικογένεια των Βροντάκηδων ― i oikogéneia ton Vrontákidon ― the Vrondakides family
- (rare, derogatory)
Usage notes
editFamily names suffixed -άκης are attested in Byzantine times: e.g. Ραβδοκανάκης (Rabdokanákēs) c.1250.[3] A systematic registering of surnames in Greece started in the 19th century. -άκης was frequent in Mani (where more often it became -άκος (-ákos)) and chiefly in the island of Crete (where also the augmentative -ακας (-akas) is found in contrast to the diminutive -άκης).
Which of the two alternative spellings (-άκις or -άκης) is more correct, is still debated.[4] Currently (2010s), some people insist on -άκις, although -άκης is much more frequent.
- Notable -άκης: the writer Nikos Kazantzakis, the composer Mikis Theodorakis.
- Notable -άκις: the composer Manos Hatzidakis, the father of Greek linguistics Georgios Hatzidakis.
Declension
editDeclension of -άκης
Derived terms
editReferences
edit- ^ -άκης - Babiniotis, Georgios (2002) Λεξικό της νέας ελληνικής γλώσσας: […] [Dictionary of Modern Greek (language)] (in Greek), 2nd edition, Athens: Kentro Lexikologias [Lexicology Centre], 1st edition 1998, →ISBN.
- ^ -άκης, in Λεξικό της κοινής νεοελληνικής [Dictionary of Standard Modern Greek], Triantafyllidis Foundation, 1998 at the Centre for the Greek language
- ^ Laiou, Angeliki E. (1977) Peasant society in the late Byzantine Empire, Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, →ISBN
- ^ Babiniotis is a champion of -άκις (-άκης - Babiniotis, Georgios (2002) Λεξικό της νέας ελληνικής γλώσσας: […] [Dictionary of Modern Greek (language)] (in Greek), 2nd edition, Athens: Kentro Lexikologias [Lexicology Centre], 1st edition 1998, →ISBN.)