σπάρξαι

σπάργω

aor imperat mid 2nd sg

σπάργω

aor inf act

σπάρξαῑ, σπάργω

aor opt act 3rd sg

Grammatical information: n.

Meaning: `rope, cable, cord, string', also `plumbline' (Β 135); σπάρτος m. f. (rare σπάρτη, - τον) also name of a shrub used for snares `Spartium junceum, kind of broom' (Pl., X. etc.);

Other forms: also σπάρτη f. (Ar. Av. 815 [wordplay with Σπάρτη], unclear Cratin. 110), σπάρτος f. (Hero).

Compounds: Some compp., e.g. σπαρτό-δετος `bound with σ.' (Opp.), λινό-σπαρτον n. plantname = σπάρτος (Thphr.; cf. Risch IF 59, 257).

Derivatives: σπαρτ-ίον n. dimin., also as plantname (Att., hell.), - ινος `made of σ.' (Cratin., Poll.), - ίνη f. `rope, cable' (Ael.).

Origin: XX [etym. unknown]

Etymology: As to the form, verbal noun in - το-; because of the probable zero grade rather substant. adj. than abstract formation. The basic verb, however, is not found, but seems to be presupposed both by the γ-enlargement *σπάργω, σπάρξαι `envelop' and by σπεῖρα, σπυρίς (?). The other languages do not provide help. On OLith. spartas (formally = IE * sportos), since Fick and Curtius 503 connected with it, s. Fraenkel s.v. w. lit. (not convincing); Arm. p`arem, p'arim `enclose, embrace' (Scheftelowitz BB 29, 36) gives phonetical difficulties (p' not from IE sp-). -- Lat. LW [loanword] spartum `(Gm.) Pfriemengras' (s. W.-Hofmann s. v.).

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