τένδω

Ancient Greek

Etymology

Rix and Beekes both suggest that it could derive from Proto-Indo-European *téndeti, the thematic present of the root *tend-. Alternatively, it has been connected with Ancient Greek τένθης (ténthēs). If this theory is accepted, then the θ/δ variation may indicate a Pre-Greek origin.

Pronunciation

 

Verb

τένδω • (téndō)

  1. to gnaw
    • 750 BCE – 650 BCE, Hesiod, Works and Days 520-524:
      ἥ τε δόμων ἔντοσθε φίλῃ παρὰ μητέρι μίμνει, οὔπω ἔργα ἰδυῖα πολυχρύσου Ἀφροδίτης· εὖ τε λοεσσαμένη τέρενα χρόα καὶ λίπʼ ἐλαίῳ χρισαμένη μυχίη καταλέξεται ἔνδοθι οἴκου, ἤματι χειμερίῳ, ὅτʼ ἀνόστεος ὃν πόδα τένδει
      hḗ te dómōn éntosthe phílēi parà mētéri mímnei, oúpō érga iduîa polukhrúsou Aphrodítēs; eû te loessaménē térena khróa kaì líp elaíōi khrisaménē mukhíē kataléxetai éndothi oíkou, ḗmati kheimeríōi, hót anósteos hòn póda téndei
      (please add an English translation of this quotation)

Conjugation

References