πλήστιγ-γες

Grammatical information: f.

Meaning: `scales' (Att.), also `disk of the kottabos-standard' (Critias, Hermipp.), metaph. `oystershell' (Opp.), `horsecollar' (which hangs from the wood of the yoke like the scales from the weighbridge; E. Rh. 303), also (in plur.) `surgical splints' (Hippiatr.).

Other forms: πλήστιγγες pl. `id.' (Hp. ap. Gal. 19, 131).

Origin: PG [a word of Pre-Greek origin]

Etymology: Formation in - ιγγ- (Chantraine Form. 398ff., Schwyzer 498) from an unknown noun. As the designation of the scales (weighing-machine) and the Kottabosdisk is prob. to be derived from the flat form of it, one connects the root pelā- `broaden' (s. πλάξ). The nearest basis may be a noun *πλαστ(ο)-, which may stand for *πλατ-τ(ο)- (cf. on πλάτη), or for *πλαθ-τ(ο)- (s. πλάσσω). The usu. called "Ion." form πλήστιγ-γες which occurs once only, occurs only in a not quite clear specific meaning, can, if no derailment, represent a form πλᾱ-. -- On the debated πλάστιγξ A. Ch. 290 (for μάστιγξ?) s. Gentili Stud. itfilcl. N. S. 21, 105ff. -- Again, the form πλαθ- cannot be explained from IE; the suffix shows that he word is Pre-Greek (not in Furnée).

Page in Frisk: 2,552