μελύγιον

Ancient Greek

Etymology

Connected with μέλι (méli, “honey”), but this is likely a folk etymology if the word is indeed from Scythian.

Pronunciation

 

• IPA^(key): /me.lý.ɡi.on/ → /meˈly.ʝi.on/ → /meˈli.ʝi.on/

• (5^th BCE Attic) IPA^(key): /me.lý.ɡi.on/
• (1^st CE Egyptian) IPA^(key): /meˈly.ɡi.on/
• (4^th CE Koine) IPA^(key): /meˈly.ʝi.on/
• (10^th CE Byzantine) IPA^(key): /meˈly.ʝi.on/
• (15^th CE Constantinopolitan) IPA^(key): /meˈli.ʝi.on/

Noun

μελύγιον • (melúgion) n (genitive —); second declension

1. A kind of alcoholic beverage, perhaps mead, among the Scythians.
   • P. Oxy. XV 1802 (the Oxyrhynchus Glossary)