σάφα

Ancient Greek

Etymology

From σᾰ́φ- (sáph-), the root of σαφής (saphḗs, “clear”), + -ᾰ (-a, adverbial suffix).

Pronunciation

 

• IPA^(key): /sá.pʰa/ → /ˈsa.ɸa/ → /ˈsa.fa/

• (5^th BCE Attic) IPA^(key): /sá.pʰa/
• (1^st CE Egyptian) IPA^(key): /ˈsa.pʰa/
• (4^th CE Koine) IPA^(key): /ˈsa.ɸa/
• (10^th CE Byzantine) IPA^(key): /ˈsa.fa/
• (15^th CE Constantinopolitan) IPA^(key): /ˈsa.fa/

Adverb

σάφα • (sápha) (Epic, Attic)

1. clearly, obviously, assuredly
   • 800 BCE – 600 BCE, Homer, Odyssey 2.31:

     ἠέ τιν’ ἀγγελίην στρατοῦ ἔκλυεν ἐρχομένοιο,
     ἥν χ’ ἥμιν σάφα εἴποι, ὅτε πρότερός γε πύθοιτο;

     ēé tin’ angelíēn stratoû ékluen erkhoménoio,
     hḗn kh’ hḗmin sápha eípoi, hóte próterós ge púthoito?

     or has he heard some news of a coming army, which he would tell us clearly, when he first discovered [it]?

   • 472 BCE, Aeschylus, The Persians 337–338:

     Αγ[γελος]   πλήθους μὲν ἂν σάφ’ ἴσθ’ ἕκατι βάρβαρον
     ναυσὶν κρατῆσαι.

     Ag[gelos]   plḗthous mèn àn sáph’ ísth’ hékati bárbaron
     nausìn kratêsai.

     Messenger: As to numbers, know assuredly that the foreigner would have the upper hand in ships

Usage notes

Often used with verbs of knowing, such as οἶδα (oîda).

References

• “σάφα”, in Liddell & Scott (1940) A Greek–English Lexicon, Oxford: Clarendon Press