δή

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Ancient Greek

[edit]

Alternative forms

[edit]
  • δαί (daí)after interrogatives, to express wonder or curiosity

Etymology

[edit]

From Proto-Hellenic *dḗ, from Proto-Indo-European *de (instrumental particle).[1] See also δέ ().

Pronunciation

[edit]
 

Particle

[edit]

δή (dḗ) (discourse particle)

  1. Adds temporal specificity: now, already
  2. Adds emphasis: truly, !, indeed, in truth
  3. Adds specificity: exactly
  4. Sometimes ironical: no doubt, of course
  5. With pronouns: of all people

Usage notes

[edit]

δή (dḗ) is a post-positive word, meaning that it will usually (but not always) be the second word in a clause.

Conjunction

[edit]

δή (dḗ)

  1. but, and

Descendants

[edit]
  • Classical Syriac: ܕܝܢ
  • Coptic: ⲇⲉ (de)
  • Macedonian: де (de)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Beekes, Robert S. P. (2010) “δή”, in Etymological Dictionary of Greek (Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series; 10), with the assistance of Lucien van Beek, Leiden, Boston: Brill, →ISBN, page 322

Further reading

[edit]