σπαλακός

σπάλαξ

blind-rat: fem gen sg

σπᾰλᾰκ-ός, ή, όν, perh.

A mole-coloured, BGU1283.16 (iii A.D.), dub. in PHib.1.120.15 (iii B.C.).

σπάλαξ [σπᾰ], ᾰκος, ἡ, also ἀσπάλαξ (q.v.),

A blind-rat, Spalax typhlus, Arist.de An. 425a11, LXX Le.11.30; masc.in Ael.NA11.37:— also written [full] σφάλαξ, Paus.7.24.11.

II ἵππων εἶδος οἱ ς. (perh. mole-coloured), Hsch.: cf. σπαλακός.

III meadow-saffron, Colchicum parnassicum, Thphr.HP1.6.11 (s.v.l.).

Grammatical information: f. m.

Meaning: `mole' (Arist. a. o.), also as plantnname `autumn crocus, Colchicum parnassicum' (Thphr.).

Derivatives: σπαλακ-ία νόσος ἡ περὶ τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς, πήρωσις H. (vgl. Scheller Oxytonierung 41); also σπαλακός as colour designation (pap.). -- S. ἀσπάλαξ.

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

Etymology: Daneben σφάλαξ `id.' (Paus. 7, 24, 11) for ἀσφάλαξ (Babr. a. o.), folketymol. after σφάλλω because of the undermining activity of the mole; thus σπάλαξ after σπάω `tear off'(?) referring to the skin (Grégoire Byzantion 32, 32 ff.; hypothetical)? On the anlaut also Hiersche Ten. aspiratae 192 f. - The variations show a Pre-Greek word Furnée 159.

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