τρί-γληνα

Grammatical information: f.

Meaning: `eyeball' (Hom.; also reviling Θ 164), also `pupil of the eye' (Ruf. Onom., H.), metaph. `socket of a joint' (Gal.), `honeycomb' (AB, H.)

Derivatives: γλήνεα n. pl. `gaudy things, trinkets' (Ω 192), `stars' (Arat.); sg. γλῆνος = γλήνη (Nic.), = φάος H. - γληνίς (IG 5 [1] 1447, 9, Messene III-II^a) meaning unknown. Artificial is hellenistic γλήν = γλήνη (Hermesian.), cf. Schwyzer 584 A. 6. PN: Γλῆνος, Γλῆνις, Γληνώ, Γληνεύς. - Unclear is the meaning of τρί-γληνα ( ἕρματα Hom.); τρίγληνος also as attribute of Hecate (Ath.).

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

Etymology: A problem is that the basic meaning of the word is unknown. One compares γαλήνη, γέλως, but also γλαινοί τὰ λαμπρύσματα τῶν περικεφαλαιῶν, οἷον ἀστέρες H. The last word is only known from this gloss. DELG says it is `imprudent' to connect the words. Connection as an IE word is possible ( gleh₂-i-) but uncertain and unconvincing. Comparison of γλαινοί with OHG kleini `gleaming, elegant, fine, klein', OE clǣne `clean' is also quite uncertain. Doubtful Machek Listy filol. 72, 70 (to Slav. zrěnica `pupil'). - Lamer IF 48, 231f., assumes a basic meaning `puppet' and thinks the word is Pre-Greek. If we connect γλαινοί, which seems possible, the word is Pre-Greek (α\/αι is frequent in these words; cf. γηθυλλίς \/ γαιθυλλάδαι).

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