διά-λοξος

Grammatical information: adj.

Meaning: `bent to the side, slanting, oblique', metaph. `ambiguous' (IA.).

Compounds: late compp., e.g. λοξο-κέλευθος `with oblique paths' (Nonn.), παρά-λοξος `slanting, oblique' (Sor.; cf. παρα-λοξαίνομαι below).

Derivatives: Λοξίας, ion. - ίης m. surn. of Apollon as prophesying god (B., Hdt., trag.), also of the ecliptic (astr.; cf. v. Wilamowitz Glaube 1, 256), Λοξώ f. daughter of Boreas (Call., Nonn., EM 641, 57). - λοξικὸς κύκλος `the ecliptic' (astr.), λοξότης `obliquity, ambiguity' (Str., Plu.). - Denomin. verbs: λοξόομαι, - όω, also with ἐπι-, ὑπο-, `be, make oblique, look aslant' (Sophr., Hp., Herod.) with λόξωσις `inclination, obliquity (of the ecliptic)' (Epicur., Str.); ( δια-)λοξεύω `make aslant, ambiguous' (Lib.) with λοξεύματα pl. `obliquities' (Man.); παρα-λοξαίνομαι `be made obliquely' (Hp.),

Origin: XX [etym. unknown]

Etymology: There are several adj. with comparable meaning with σο-suffix: γαυσός, καμψός, φοξός, ῥυσός etc. (Schwyzer 516, Chantraine Form. 434, Specht Ursprung 199ff.). Connection with λέχριος, and to λεκροί (s. Λοκροί) seems very probable, but as with so many of these adj. the exact formation cannot be determined; the o -vowel speaks for a nominal basis. Further connections are not very clear, e.g. the supposed relation with λέκος, λεκάνη `trough, dish', Lat. lanx (mean.!). Semantically closer comes Lat. licinus `upside bent'; quite hypothetical the Gaul. PN Lexovii, Lixovii; from Celtic one adduces Welsh llechwedd `declivity, slope'. Further there are expressions for elbow, arm and other (crooked) body-parts with initial vowel, e.g. Lith. alkúne `elbow', Russ. lókotь `el(bow)' (PSlav. * olkъt-), Arm. olok` `shin-bone'. - If one cuts off the k and adds (without motivation) ei (IE el-ei-, l-ei- `bend') one is helpless lost "in the etymological marsh", s. WP. 1, 156ff., Pok. 307ff., W.-Hofmann s. lacertus, lanx, valgus. So nothing remotely probable.

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