γαμφηλαί

Ancient Greek

Alternative forms

  • γαμφαί (gamphaí), γναμφαί (gnamphaí)

Etymology

Generally connected with γόμφος (gómphos, peg, nail), but the α-vocalism is problematic. Neither an influence from γαμψός (gampsós, curved, crooked) or γναμπτήρ (gnamptḗr, jaw) seems to be a sufficient explanation. Pedersen pointed to Proto-Slavic *gǫba (lip, mouth). According to Beekes, the word may be Pre-Greek given the suffix -ηλ-, which can be found also in τράχηλος (trákhēlos).

Pronunciation

 

Noun

γᾰμφηλαί • (gamphēlaí) f pl (genitive γᾰμφηλῶν); first declension

  1. (anatomy) jaws of animals
    Synonyms: γνάθος (gnáthos), σιαγών (siagṓn)
  2. bill or beak of birds

Declension

References

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