PREPOSITIONS
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1636
Prepositions define the relations of a substantival notion to the predicate.
a. All prepositions seem to have been adverbs originally and mostly adverbs of place; as adverbs they are case-forms. Several are locatives, as περί.
1637
The prepositions express primarily notions of space, then notions of time, and finally are used in figurative relations to denote cause, agency, means, manner, etc. Attic often differs from the Epic in using the prepositions to denote metaphorical relations. The prepositions define the character of the verbal action and set forth the relations of an oblique case to the predicate with greater precision than is possible for the cases without a preposition. Thus,
he spake among the suitorsμετὰ δὲ μνηστῆρσιν ἔειπε
1638
Development of the Use of Prepositions.—
a. Originally the preposition was a free adverb limiting the meaning of the verb but not directly connected with it: κατ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἕζετο down he sate him A 101. In this use the preposition may be called a ‘preposition-adverb.’
b. The preposition-adverb was also often used in sentences in which an oblique case depended directly on the verb without regard to the prepositionadverb. Here the case is independent of the preposition-adverb, as in βλεφάρων ἄπο δάκρυα πί̄πτει from her eyelids, away, tears fall ξ 129. Here βλεφάρων is ablatival genitive and is not governed by ἀπό, which serves merely to define the relation between verb and noun.
c. Gradually the preposition-adverb was brought into closer connection either (1) with the verb, whence arose compounds such as ἀποπί̄πτειν, or (2) with the noun, the preposition-adverb having freed itself from its adverbial relation to the verb. In this stage, which is that of Attic prose, the noun was felt to depend on the preposition. Hence arose many syntactical changes, e.g. the accusative of the limit of motion (1588) was abandoned in prose for the preposition with the accusative.
Prepositions have three uses.
1639
(I) Prepositions appear as adverbs defining the action of verbs.
1640
The preposition-adverb usually precedes the verb, from which it is often separated in Homer by nouns and other words: ἡμῖν ἀπὸ λοιγὸν ἀμῦναι to ward off destruction from (for) us A 67, πρὸ γὰρ ἧκε θεά̄ the goddess sent her forth A 195, ἔχεν κάτα γαῖα the earth held him fast B 699.
1641
So, as links connecting sentences, πρὸς δὲ καί and καὶ πρός and besides, ἐπὶ δέ and besides, μετὰ δέ and next, thereupon (both in Hdt.), ἐν δέ and among the number (Hdt.).
1642
The verb (usually ἐστί or εἰσί, rarely εἰμί) may be omitted:
for no such man is among themοὐ γάρ τις μέτα τοῖος ἀνήρ
1643
The preposition-adverb may do duty for the verb in parallel clauses: ἄνδρες ἀνέσταν, ἂν μὲν ἄρ᾽ Ἀτρεΐδης . . . ἂν δ᾽ ἄρα Μηριόνης the men rose up, rose up Atreides, rose up Meriones Ψ 886. So in Hdt.
1644
(II) Prepositions connect verbs and other words with the oblique cases of nouns and pronouns.
1645
It is often impossible to decide whether the preposition belongs to the verb or to the noun. Thus, ἐκ δὲ Χρῡσηὶς νηὸς βῆ A 439 may be Chryseïs went out of the ship or Chryseïs went-out-from (ἐξέβη) the ship. When important words separate the prep.-adv. from the noun, the prep.-adv. is more properly regarded as belonging with the verb, which, together with the prep.-adv., governs the noun: ἀμφὶ δὲ χαῖται ὤμοις ἀ̄ΐσσονται and his mane floats-about his shoulders Z 509. The Mss. often vary: τοῖσιν ἐγὼ μεθ᾽ ὁμί̄λεον (or μεθομί̄λεον) with these I was wont to associate A 269.
1646
(III) Prepositions unite with verbs (less frequently with nouns and other prepositions) to form compounds. Cp. 886 ff.
a. From this use as a prefix the name ‘preposition’ (πρόθεσις praepositio) is derived. The original meaning of some prepositions is best seen in compounds.
1647
Improper prepositions (1699) are adverbs used like prepositions, but incapable of forming compounds. The case (usually the genitive) following an improper preposition depends on the preposition alone without regard to the verb; whereas a true preposition was attached originally, as an adverb, to a case depending directly on the verb.
1648
The addition of a preposition (especially διά, κατά, σύν) to a verbal form may mark the completion of the action of the verbal idea (perfective action). The local force of the preposition is here often lost. So διαφεύγειν succeed in escaping, καταδιώκειν succeed in pursuing, συντελεῖν accomplish, carry into effect (τελεῖν do, perform).
1649
Two or more prepositions may be used with one verb, either sepa rately, as adverbs, or in composition with the verb. Thus, στῆ δὲ παρέξ (or παρ᾽ ἐξ) he stood forth beside him Λ 486. When two prepositions of like meaning are used in composition, that preposition precedes which has the narrower range: συμμετέχειν take part in with, ἀμφιπεριστέφεσθαι to be put round about as a crown. When two prepositions are used with one noun, the noun usually depends on the second, while the first defines the second adverbially; as ἀμφὶ περὶ κρήνην round about a spring B 305. It is often uncertain whether or not two prepositions should be written together.
a. Such compound prepositions are ἀμφιπερί, παρέξ, ὑπέκ, ἀπέκ, διέκ, ἀποπρό, διαπρό, περιπρό. Improper prepositions may be used with true prepositions, as μέχρι εἰς τὸ στρατόπεδον as far as (into) the camp X. A. 6.4.26.
1650
Tmesis (τμῆσις cutting) denotes the separation of a preposition from its verb, and is a term of late origin, properly descriptive only of the post-epic language, in which preposition and verb normally formed an indissoluble compound. The term ‘tmesis’ is incorrectly applied to the language of Homer, since in the Epic the prep.-adv. was still in process of joining with the verb.
1651
In Attic poetry tmesis occurs chiefly when the preposition is separated from the verb by unimportant words (particles, enclitics), and is employed for the sake of emphasis or (in Euripides) as a mere ornament. Aristophanes uses tmesis only to parody the style of tragic choruses.
1652
Hdt. uses tmesis frequently in imitation of the Epic; the intervening words are ὦν ( = οὖν), enclitics, δέ, μὲν . . . δέ, etc.
1653
In Attic prose tmesis occurs only in special cases: ἀντ᾽ εὖ ποιεῖν (πάσχειν) and σὺν εὖ (κακῶς) ποιεῖν (πάσχειν). Thus,
all whom the city has requited with benefits for the service they rendered itὅσους εὖ ποιήσαντας ἡ πόλις ἀντ᾽ εὖ πεποίηκεν
1654
The addition of a preposition to a verb may have no effect on the construction, as in ἐκβῆναι τῆς νεώς, whereas βῆναι τῆς νεώς originally, and still in poetry, can mean go from-the-ship; or it may determine the construction, as in
to surpass meπεριγενέσθαι ἐμοῦ
1655
A preposition usually assumes the force of an adjective when compounded with substantives which do not change their forms on entering into composition, as σύνοδος a national meeting (ὁδός). Otherwise the compound usually gets a new termination, generally -ον, -ιον neuter, or -ίς feminine, as ἐνύπνιον dream (ὕπνος), ἐπιγουνίς thigh-muscle (γόνυ).
1656
The use of prepositions is, in general, more common in prose than in poetry, which retained the more primitive form of expression.
1657
A noun joined by a preposition to its case without the help of a verb has a verbal meaning:
freedom from all ruleἀπὸ πᾱσῶν ἀρχῶν ἐλευθερίᾱ
1658
In general, when depending on prepositions expressing relations of place, the accusative denotes the place (or person) toward which or the place over which, along which motion takes place, the dative denotes rest in or at, the genitive (ablative) passing from. Thus,
I have come to youἥκω παρὰ σέ
the barbarians in his own serviceοἱ παρ᾽ ἑαυτῷ βάρβαροι
1659
Constructio Praegnans.—a. A verb of motion is often used with a preposition with the dative to anticipate the rest that follows the action of the verb: ἐν τῷ ποταμῷ ἔπεσον they fell (into and were) in the river X. Ages. 1.32. This use is common with τιθέναι, ἱδρύ̄ειν, καθιστάναι, etc., and with tenses of completed action which imply rest; as οἱ ἐν τῇ νήσῳ ἄνδρες διαβεβηκότες the men who had crossed to (and were in) the island T. 7.71.
b. A verb of rest is often followed by a preposition with the accusative to denote motion previous to or following upon the action of the verb: παρῆσαν εἰς Σάρδεις (they came to Sardis and were in the city) they arrived at Sardis X. A. 1.2.2,
they were saved by reaching Cyreneἐς Κῠ̄ρήνην ἐσώθησαν
1660
Stress is often laid on (a) the starting-point or (b) the goal of an action.
a. καταδήσᾱς ἀπὸ δένδρων τοὺς ἵππους tying his horses to (from) trees X. H. 4.4.10. By anticipation of the verbal action (attraction of the prep. with the article):
he deserted his post in the armyτὴν ἀπὸ στρατοπέδου τάξιν ἔλιπεν
b. With verbs of collecting (ἀθροίζειν, συλλέγειν) and enrolling (ἐγγράφειν): εἰς πεδίον ἀθροίζονται they are mustered in(to) the plain X. A. 1.1.2, εἰς ἄνδρας ἐγγράψαι to enrol in(to) the list of men D. 19.230.
1661
So with adverbs: ὅπον ἐληλύθαμεν where ( = whither, ὅποι) we have gone X. C. 6.1.14, ὅθεν ἀπελίπομεν, ἐπανέλθωμεν let us return to the point whence ( = where, ὅπου) we left off P. Ph. 78b, ἀγνοεῖ τὸν ἐκεῖθεν πόλεμον δεῦρο ἥξοντα he does not know that the war in that region will come hither ( = τὸν ἐκεῖ πόλεμον ἐκεῖθεν) D. 1.15.
1662
Some adverbs and adverbial phrases meaning from are used with reference to the point of view of the observer: ἑκατέρωθεν on either side, ἔνθεν καὶ ἔνθεν on this side and that, ἐκ δεξιᾶς on the right (a dextra), οἱ ἀπὸ τῆς σκηνῆς the actors, τὸ ἐκ τοῦ ἰσθμοῦ τεῖχος, τὸ ἐς τὴν Παλλήνην τεῖχος the wall (seen) from the isthmus, the wall toward (looking to) Pallene T. 1.64 (of the same wall).
1663
Position.—The preposition usually precedes its noun. It may be separated from it
a. By particles (μέν, δέ, γέ, τέ, γάρ, οὖν) and by οἶμαι I think: ἐν οὖν τῇ πόλει P. R. 456d, εἰς δέ γε οἶμαι τὰ̄ς ἄλλᾱς πόλεις to the other cities I think 568 c.
Note that the order τὴν μὲν χώρᾱν (1155) usually becomes, e.g. πρὸς μὲν τὴν χώρᾱν or πρὸς τὴν χώρᾱν μέν. Demonstrative ὁ μέν and ὁ δέ, when dependent on a preposition, regularly follow the preposition, and usually with order reversed (1109): ἐν μὲν ἄρα τοῖς συμφωνοῦμεν, ἐν δὲ τοῖς οὔ in some things then we agree, but not in others P. Phae. 263b.
b. By attributives:
to the plain of the Caysterεἰς Καΰστρου πεδίον
c. By the accusative in oaths and entreaties (with πρός): πρός σε τῆσδε μητρός by my mother here I implore thee E. Phoen. 1665; cp. per te deos oro and see 1599.
N.—A preposition is usually placed before a superlative and after ὡς or ὅτι qualifying the superlative:
over the very greatest part of the throngὡς ἐπὶ πλεῖστον τοῦ ὁμί̄λου
with far better reasonπολὺ ἐν πλείονι αἰτίᾳ
1664
In poetry a preposition is often placed between an adjective and its substantive; very rarely in prose (
in the following mannerτοιᾷδε ἐν τάξει
1665
περί is the only true preposition that may be placed after its case in Attic prose:
about wisdomσοφίᾱς πέρι
about which I understand nothing either much or littleὧν ἐγὼ οὐδὲν οὔτε μέγα οὔτε μῑκρὸν πέρι ἐπαΐω
concerning both that which is holy and that which is unholyτοῦ ὁσίου τε πέρι καὶ τοῦ ἀνοσίου
a. ἕνεκα and χάριν (usually) and ἄνευ (sometimes) are postpositive. The retention of the postpositive use of περί may be due to the influence of ἕνεκα. In poetry many prepositions are postpositive.
VARIATION OF PREPOSITIONS
1666
The preposition in the second of two closely connected clauses may be different from that used in the first clause either (1) when the relation is essentially the same or (2) when it is different. Thus (1)
from Corcyra and the mainlandἔκ τε τῆς Κερκύ̄ρᾱς καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς ἠπείρου
REPETITION AND OMISSION OF PREPOSITIONS, ETC.
1667
a. For the sake of emphasis or to mark opposition and difference, a preposition is repeated with each noun dependent on the preposition:
in the pursuit of war and in the other occupations of lifeκατά τε πόλεμον καὶ κατὰ τὴν ἄλλην δίαιταν
b. A preposition is used with the first noun and omitted with the second when the two nouns (whether similar or dissimilar in meaning) unite to form a complex: περὶ τοῦ δικαίου καὶ ἀρετῆς ‘concerning the justice of our cause and the honesty of our intentions’ T. 3.10.
c. In poetry a preposition may be used only with the second of two nouns dependent on it:
from Delphi and DauliaΔελφῶν κἀ̄πὸ Δαυλίᾱς
1668
In contrasts or alternatives expressed by ἤ, ἢ . . . ἤ, καὶ . . . καί, etc., the preposition may be repeated or omitted with the second noun:
both by land and by seaκαὶ κατὰ γῆν καὶ κατὰ θάλατταν
to foe or friendπρὸς ἐχθρὸν ἢ φίλον
1669
When prepositions of different meaning are used with the same noun, the noun is repeated; thus neither upon (the earth) nor under the earth is οὔτ᾽ ἐπὶ γῆς οὔθ᾽ ὑπὸ γῆς P. Menex. 246d.
1670
In explanatory appositional clauses (988) the preposition may be repeated for the sake of clearness or emphasis; as
the men of mark come from those who have practised each artἐκ τούτων οἱ ὀνομαστοὶ γίγνονται, ἐκ τῶν ἐπιτηδευσάντων ἕκαστα
1671
Before a relative in the same case as a noun or pronoun dependent on a preposition, the preposition is usually omitted:
he was at that age at which I now amκατὰ ταύτην τὴν ἡλικίᾱν ἦν ἣν ἐγὼ νῦν
is loved by whom it is lovedφιλεῖται
it is necessary to set each individual to some one work to which he is adapted by natureπρὸς ὅ τις πέφῡκε, πρὸς τοῦτο ἕνα πρὸς ἓν ἕκαστον ἔργον δεῖ κομίζειν
1672
In Plato a preposition is often omitted in replies: ἡττώμενοσ—ὑπὸ τίνος; φήσει. τοῦ ἀγαθοῦ, φήσομεν overcome—by what? he will say. By the good, we shall say Pr. 355 c.
1673
The preposition is usually omitted with the main noun or pronoun when it is used in a clause of comparison with ὡς (rarely ὥσπερ) as:
they ought to take thought for their country as their mother and nurseδεῖ ὡς περὶ μητρὸς καὶ τροφοῦ τῆς χώρᾱς βουλεύεσθαι
speak the truth to me as to one who knowsὡς πρὸς εἰδότ᾽ ἐμὲ σὺ τἀ̄ληθῆ λέγε
who owe their ruin to nothing so much as to such a course of actionοἳ παρ᾽ οὐδὲν οὕτως ὡς τὸ τοιαῦτα ποιεῖν ἀπολώλᾱσιν
to deliberate about the future rather than the presentπερὶ τοῦ μέλλοντος μᾶλλον βουλεύεσθαι ἢ τοῦ παρόντος
1674
A preposition with its case may have the function of the subject, or the object, of a sentence; or it may represent the protasis of a condition.
Subject:
about eight hundred took to flightἔφυγον περὶ ὀκτακοσίους
they killed about eight hundredδιέφθειραν ἐς ὀκτακοσίους
for had it depended on your selves you would have perished long agoἐπεὶ διά γ᾽ ὑ̄μᾶς αὐτοὺς πάλαι ἂν ἀπωλώλειτε
ORDINARY USES OF THE PREPOSITIONS
1675
Use of the Prepositions in Attic Prose.—
With the accusative only: ἀνά, εἰς.
With the dative only: ἐν, σύν.
With the genitive only: ἀντί, ἀπό, ἐξ, πρό.
With the accusative and genitive: ἀμφί, διά, κατά, μετά, ὑπέρ.
With accusative, genitive, and dative: ἐπί, παρά, περί, πρός, ὑπό.
a. With the dative are also used in poetry: ἀνά, ἀμφί (also in Hdt.), μετά. ἀπό (ἀπύ), ἐξ (ἐς) take the dative in Arcadian and Cyprian.
b. The genitive is either the genitive proper (of the goal, 1349, 1350, etc.) or the ablatival genitive.
c. The dative is usually the locative or the instrumental, rarely the dative proper (as with ἐπί and πρός of the goal).
1676
Ordinary Differences in Meaning.—
| GENITIVE | ACCUSATIVE | |
| ἀμφί, περί | concerning | round about, near |
| διά | through | owing to |
| κατά | against | along, over, according to |
| μετά | with | after |
| ὑπέρ | above, in behalf of | over, beyond |
| GENITIVE | DATIVE | ACCUSATIVE | |
| ἐπί | on | on | to, toward, for |
| παρά | from | with, near | to, contrary to |
| πρός | on the side of | at, besides | to, toward |
| ὑπό | by, under | under | under |
1677
Certain prepositions are parallel in many uses; e.g. ἀνά and κατά, ἀντί and πρό, ἀπό and ἐκ, ἀμφί and περί, ὑπέρ and περί, ἐπί and πρός, σύν and μετά.
1678
The agent is expressed by different prepositions with the genitive:
ὑπό of persons and things personified (1698. 1. N. 1): the normal usage in Attic prose.
παρά: here the agent is viewed as the source. The action is viewed as starting near a person, or on the part of a person.
διά through: the intermediate agent.
ἀπό: indirect agent and source (rare) to mark the point of departure of the action. Chiefly in Thuc.
ἐξ: chiefly in poetry and Hdt. In Attic prose of emanation from a source.
πρός: to mark the result as due to the presence (before) of a person; chiefly in poetry and Hdt.
1679
Means is expressed by διά with the genitive (the normal usage in Attic prose), ἀπό, ἐξ, ἐν, σύν. Motive is expressed by ὑπό (gen.), διά (accus.), ἕνεκα.
LIST OF PREPOSITIONS
ἀμφί
1681
ἀμφί (cp. ἄμφω, ἀμφότερος, Lat. ambi-, amb-, am-) originally on both sides (either externally only, or inside and outside), hence about. Cp. the use of περί (1693) throughout. Chiefly poetic, Ionic, and Xenophontic. In Attic prose chiefly with the accusative.
1. ἀμφί with the Genitive
Local (very rare and doubtful):
dwellers round about this cityοἱ ἀμφὶ ταύτης οἰκέοντες τῆς πόλιος
I speak about thy childἀμφὶ σῆς λέγω παιδός
quarrelling about what they hadἀμφὶ ὧν εἶχον διαφερόμενοι
2. ἀμφί with the Dative
Local:
he has a shield about his shouldersἀμφ᾽ ὤμοισιν ἔχει σάκος
afraid on account of his wifeφοβηθεὶς ἀμφὶ τῇ γυναικί
3. ἀμφί with the Accusative
Local:
about Miletusἀμφὶ Μί̄λητον
they ran around Achillesἔδραμον ἀμφ᾽ Ἀχιλῆα
towards eveningἀμφὶ δείλην
he was busy about dinnerἀμφὶ δεῖπνον εἶχεν
a. οἱ ἀμφί τινα the attendants, followers of a person, or the person himself with his attendants, etc.:
one of the trusty adherents of Cyrusἀνὴρ τῶν ἀμφὶ Κῦρον πιστῶν
the school of Protagorasοἱ ἀμφὶ Πρωταγόρᾱν
4. ἀμφί in Composition
Around, about' ἀμφιβάλλειν throw around (on both sides), ἀμφιλέγειν dispute (speak on both sides).
ἀνά
1682
ἀνά (Lesb. ὀν, Lat. an- in anhelare, Eng. on): originally up to, up (opposed to κατά). Cp. ἄνω.
1. ἀνά with the Dative
Local only (Epic, Lyric, and in tragic choruses): ἀνὰ σκήπτρῳ upon a staff A 15.
2. ἀνά with the Accusative
Up along; over, through, among (of horizontal motion). Usually avoided by Attic prose writers except Xenophon (three times in the orators).
a. Local: To a higher point:
up streamἀνὰ τὸν ποταμόν
b. Extension in Time:
through the nightἀνὰ νύκτα
c. Other relations: Distributively:
by hundredsἀνὰ ἑκατὸν ἄνδρας
dailyἀνὰ πᾶσαν ἡμέρᾱν
proportionatelyἀνὰ λόγον
3. ἀνά in Composition
Up (ἀνίστασθαι stand up, ἀναστρέφειν turn upside down), back (ἀναχωρεῖν go back, ἀναμιμνῄσκειν remind), again (ἀναπνεῖν breathe again, ἀναπειρᾶσθαι practise constantly), often with a reversing force force (ἀναλύ̄ειν unlcose).
ἀντί
1683
ἀντί : originally in the face of, opposite to; cp. ἄντα, ἐναντίος, Lat. ante (with meaning influenced by post), Germ. Antwort, ‘reply.’
1. ἀντί with the Genitive only
Local: ἀνθ᾽ ὧν ἑστηκότες standing opposite to (from the point of view of the speaker, i.e. behind) which (pine-trees) X. A. 4.7.6. In other meanings: Instead of, for, as an equivalent to:
peace instead of warἀντὶ πολέμου εἰρήνη
to prefer what I have to offer you here instead of what you have left at homeτὰ παρ᾽ ἐμοὶ ἑλέσθαι ἀντὶ τῶν οἴκοι
they exchanged death for the safety of the livingτὴν τελευτὴν ἀντὶ τῆς τῶν ζώντων σωτηρίᾱς ἠλλάξαντο
whereforeἀνθ᾽ ὅτου
we entreat thee by these children hereσ᾽ ἀντὶ παίδων τῶνδε ἱκετεύομεν
2. ἀντί in Composition
Instead, in return (ἀντιδιδόναι give in return), against, in opposition to (ἀντιλέγειν speak against).
ἀπό
1684
ἀπό (Lesb. etc. ἀπύ) from, off, away from; originally of separation and departure. Cp. Lat. ab, Eng. off, of.
1. ἀπό with the Genitive only
a. Local:
leaping down from his horseκαταπηδήσᾱς ἀπὸ τοῦ ἵππου
at a distance from the seaἀπὸ θαλάσσης
beginning with the godsἀπὸ θεῶν ἀρχόμενοι
b. Temporal: ἀφ᾽ ἑσπέρᾱς after evening began (after sundown) X. A. 6.3.23, ἀπὸ τοῦ αὐτοῦ σημείου on the same signal 2. 5. 32, ἀπὸ τῶν σί̄των after meals X. R. L. 5.8, ἀφ᾽ οὗ since.
c. Other relations: (1) Origin, Source: in prose of more remote ancestry: τοὺς μὲν ἀπὸ θεῶν, τοὺς δ᾽ ἐξ αὐτῶν τῶν θεῶν γεγονότας some descended (remotely) from gods, others begotten (directly) of the gods themselves I. 12.81. (This distinction is not always observed.) Various other relations may be explained as source.
(2) Author: as agent with passives and intransitives, when an action is done indirectly, through the influence of the agent (ὑπό of the direct action of the agent himself). Not common, except in Thuc. (chiefly with πρἀ̄ττεσθαι, λέγεσθαι, and verbs of like meaning):
nothing was done under their ruleἐπρά̄χθη ἀπ᾽ αὐτῶν οὐδὲν ἔργον
speeches made by many and to manyἀπὸ πολλῶν καὶ πρὸς πολλοὺς λόγοι γιγνόμενοι
(3) Cause (remote):
he was praised in consequence of this bold deedἀπὸ τούτου τοῦ τολμήματος ἐπῃνέθη
this happened not from chance but by reason of the preparations I madeταῦτα οὐκ ἀπὸ τύχης ἐγίγνετο, ἀλλ᾽ ἀπὸ παρασκευῆς τῆς ἐμῆς
(4) Means, Instrument:
he raised an army by means of moneyστράτευμα συνέλεξεν ἀπὸ χρημάτων
to do injury by means of themἀπ᾽ αὐτῶν βλάψαι
(5) Manner:
openlyἀπὸ τοῦ προφανοῦς
(6) Conformity:
on a basis of equalityἀπὸ τοῦ ἴσου
N.—ἀπό with gen. is sometimes preferred to the simple gen., often for emphasis:
the words that proceed from youοἱ λόγοι ἀφ᾽ ὑ̄μῶν
2. ἀπό in Composition
From, away, off (ἀπιέναι go away, ἀποτειχίζειν wall off), in return, back (ἀποδιδόναι give back what is due, ἀπαιτεῖν demand what is one's right). Separation involves completion (hence ἀπανᾱλίσκειν utterly consume, ἀποθύ̄ειν pay off a vow), or privation and negation (ἀπαγορεύειν forbid, ἀποτυγχάνειν miss). Often almost equivalent to an intensive (ἀποφάναι speak out, ἀποδεικνύναι point out, ἀποτολμᾶν dare without reserve).
διά
1685
διά (Lesb. ζά) through, originally through and out of, and apart (separation by cleavage), a force seen in comp. (cp. Lat. dis-, Germ. zwi-schen).
1. διά with the Genitive
a. Local: through and out of (cp. Hom. διέκ, διαπρό), as
the spear went clear through his shoulderδι᾽ ὤμου ἔγχος ἦλθεν
to march through the enemy's countryπορεύεσθαι
to controlδιὰ χειρὸς ἔχειν
b. Temporal: of uninterrupted duration, as
through the nightδιὰ νυκτός
constantlyδιὰ παντός
c. Intervals of Space or Time:
at intervals of ten battlementsδιὰ δέκα ἐπάλξεων
after an intervalδιὰ χρόνου
at a long distanceδιὰ πολλοῦ
d. Other relations: Means, Mediation (per):
ipse per seαὐτὸς δι᾽ ἑαυτοῦ
sending a letter by this manδιὰ τούτου γράμματα πέμψᾱς
they are afraidδιὰ φόβου εἰσί
to enter into friendship with themαὐτοῖς διὰ φιλίᾱς ἰέναι
quicklyδιὰ ταχέων
2. διά with the Accusative
a. Local: of space traversed, through, over (Epic, Lyric, tragic choruses): διὰ δώματα through the halls A 600; διὰ νύκτα Θ 510 is quasi-temporal.
b. Cause: owing to, thanks to, on account of, in consequence of (cp. propter, ob):
I was saved thanks to the godsδιὰ τοὺς θεοὺς ἐσῳζόμην
it seems they would have got the better of the power of the king, had it not been for Cyrusφαίνονται κρατήσαντες ἂν τῶν βασιλέως πρᾱγμάτων, εἰ μὴ διὰ Κῦρον
c. διά is rarely used (in place of ἕνεκα) to denote a purpose or object:
for the sake of their honourδιὰ τὴν σφετέρᾱν δόξαν
for spiteδι᾽ ἐπήρειαν
on account of disease in order to gain healthδιὰ νόσον ἕνεκα ὑγιείᾱς
d. διά with gen. is used of direct, διά with accus. of indirect, agency (fault, merit, of a person, thing, or situation). διά with gen. is used of an agent employed to bring about an intended result; διά with accus. is used of a person, thing, or state beyond our control (accidental agency). (1) Persons:
they effected this by the mediation of Eurymachusἔπρᾱξαν ταῦτα δι᾽ Εὐρυμάχου
N.—διά with gen. ( = through) is distinguished from the simple dative ( = by): δι᾽ οὗ ὁρῶμεν καὶ ᾧ ἀκούομεν P. Th. 184c.
e. For διά with accus. to express the reason for an action, the dative is sometimes used (1517):
fearing the Athenians by reason of what had happenedτοῖς πεπρᾱγμένοις φοβούμενος τοὺς Ἀθηναίους
f. When used in the same sentence, the dative may express the immediate, διά with the accus. the remoter, cause:
they gave ground from the fact that they were weak through lack of foodἀσθενείᾳ σωμάτων διὰ τὴν σῑτοδείᾱν ὑπεχώρουν
g. διά with accus. contrasted with ὑπό with gen.: φήσομεν αὐτὸ δι᾽ ἐκεῖνα ὑπὸ τῆς αὑτοῦ κακίᾱς ἀπολωλέναι we shall say that it (the body) is destroyed on account of those (remoter) causes (as badness of food) by its own evil (immediately) P. R. 609e.
3. διά in Composition
Through, across, over (διαβαίνειν cross), apart, asunder (διακόπτειν cut in two, διακρί̄νειν discernere, διαφέρειν differ, διαζυγνύναι disjoin), severally (διαδιδόναι distribute).
δια- often denotes intensity, continuance, or fulfilment (διαμένειν remain to the end, διαφθείρειν destroy completely). δια- is common in the reciprocal middle (1726), as in διαλέγεσθαι converse; often of rivalry (οἱ διαπολῑτευόμενοι rival statesmen, διακοντίζεσθαι contend in throwing the javelin).
εἰς, ἐς
1686
εἰς, ἐς into, to, opposed to ἐξ; from ἐν ¨ ς (cp. Lat. abs from ab + s). See on ἐν. On εἰς with the genitive by ellipsis, see 1302.
1. εἰς with the Accusative only
In the Old Attic alphabet (2 a), generally used in Attica in the fifth century, ΕΣ was written, and this may be either εἰς or ἐς. In the fourth century ΕΙΣ was generally written. In Thuc. ἐς is printed, but its correctness may be doubted; other Attic prose writers use εἰς, the poets εἰς or (less frequently) ἐς. It is not true that in poetry ἐς is used only before consonants, εἰς only before vowels.
a. Local: of the goal:
the Sicels crossed over out of Italy into SicilyΣικελοὶ ἐξ Ἰταλίᾱς διέβησαν ἐς Σικελίᾱν
they invaded Atticaἐστράτευσαν ἐς τὴν Ἀττικήν
to end inτελευτᾶν εἴς τι
to raise a prejudice against the Peloponnesians among the GreeksΠελοποννησίους διαβαλεῖν ἐς τοὺς Ἕλληνας
b. Temporal: of the goal: up to, until:
up to my timeἐς ἐμέ
arriving at such a timeεἰς τοιοῦτον καιρὸν ἀφῑγμένοι
in all future timeεἰς τὸν λοιπὸν χρόνον
c. Measure and Limit with numerals: εἰς χῑλίους to the number of (up to) a thousand X. A. 1.8.5, εἰς δύο two abreast 2. 4. 26,
to the amount of a drachmaἐς δραχμήν
d. Other relations: Goal, Purpose, Intention:
your country looks for help to youἡ σὴ πατρὶς εἰς σὲ ἀποβλέπει
to use for the slingsχρῆσθαι εἰς τὰ̄ς σφενδόνᾱς
to train with a view to virtueπαιδεύειν εἰς ἀρετήν
excellent for the armyκαλὸν εἰς στρατιά̄ν
in seasonεἰς καιρόν
2. εἰς in Composition
Into, in, to (εἰσβαίνειν enter, εἰσπρά̄ττειν get in, exact a debt).
ἐν
1687
ἐν in (poetic ἐνί, εἰν, εἰνί), Lat. in with the abl., en-; opposed to εἰς into, ἐξ out of. On ἐν with the genitive by ellipsis, see 1302.
1. ἐν with the Dative (Locative) only
a. Local: in, at, near, by, on, among:
in Spartaἐν Σπάρτῃ
the battle at Corinthἡ ἐν Κορίνθῳ μάχη
a city built on the Euxineπόλις οἰκουμένη ἐν τῷ Εὐξείνῳ πόντῳ
laws famous among all the Greeksνόμοι ἐν πᾶσιν εὐδόκιμοι τοῖς Ἕλλησιν
the men at the head of affairsοἱ ἐν τοῖς πρά̄γμασιν
he came to himselfἐν ἑαυτῷ ἐγένετο
b. Temporal: in, within, during (cp. 1542):
in five yearsἐν πέντε ἔτεσιν
during a truceἐν σπονδαῖς
c. Instrument, Means, Cause, Manner (originally local): ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἴδωμαι see with the eyes A 587, ἐν ἑνὶ κινδῡνεύεσθαι to be endangered by (i.e. to depend on) a single person T. 2.35,
either grieving or rejoicing at thisἐν τούτοις ἢ λῡπούμενοι ἢ χαίροντες
openlyἐν τῷ φανερῷ
deciding according to equal lawsἐν τοῖς ὁμοίοις νόμοις ποιήσαντες τὰ̄ς κρίσεις
in my opinionἐν ἐμοί
N.—In many dialects, e.g. those north of the Corinthian Gulf (rarely in Pindar), ἐν retains its original meaning of in (with dat.) and into (with accus.). The latter use appears in ἐνδέξια towards the right.
2. ἐν in Composition
In, at, on, among (ἐμπί̄πτειν fall in or on, ἐντυγχάνειν fall in with, ἐγγελᾶν laugh at, ἐνάπτειν bind on).
ἐξ, ἐκ
1688
ἐξ, ἐκ out, out of, from, from within, opposed to ἐν, εἰς; cp. Lat. ex, e. As contrasted with ἀπό away from, ἐξ denotes from within.
1. ἐξ, ἐκ with the (Ablatival) Genitive only
In Arcadian and Cyprian ἐς ( = ἐξ) takes the dative.
a. Local:
marching out of Phoeniciaἐκ Φοινί̄κης ἐλαύνων
b. Temporal:
after breakfastἐκ τοῦ ἀ̄ρίστου
c. Other relations: immediate succession or transition:
exchanging one city for anotherἄλλην ἐξ ἄλλης πόλεως ἀμειβόμενος
noble and of noble breedἀγαθοὶ καὶ ἐξ ἀγαθῶν
it was agreed by allὡμολογεῖτο ἐκ πάντων
in consequence of the fact itselfἐξ αὐτοῦ τοῦ ἔργου
for which reason he accused himἐξ οὗ διέβαλλεν αὐτόν
the hook of adamantτὸ ἄγκιστρον ἐξ ἀδάμαντος
to acquire by labour the fruits of virtueἐκ τῶν πόνων τὰ̄ς ἀρετὰ̄ς κτᾶσθαι
in accordance with the lawsἐκ τῶν νόμων
on equal termsἐκ τοῦ ἴσου
they belong to the class that has powerἐκ τῶν δυναμένων εἰσί
2. ἐξ, ἐκ in Composition
Out, from, off, away (cp. ἐξελαύνειν drive out and away); often with an implication of fulfilment, completion, thoroughness, resolution (ἐκπέρθειν sack utterly, ἐκδιδάσκειν teach thoroughly). Cp. 1648.
ἐπί
1689
ἐπί (cp. Lat. ob) upon, on, on the surface of; opposed to ὑπό under, and to ὑπέρ when ὑπέρ means above the surface of.
1. ἐπί with the Genitive
a. Local: upon:
neither upon the earth nor under the earthοὔτ᾽ ἐπὶ γῆς οὔθ᾽ ὑπὸ γῆς
he seated himself on a throneἐπὶ θρόνου ἐκαθέζετο
on my shipἐπὶ τῆς ἐμῆς νεώς
he fled toward Sardisἐπὶ Σάρδεων ἔφευγε
N.—In expressions of simple superposition ἐπί with the gen. denotes familiar relations and natural position; whereas ἐπί with the dat. gives clear and emphatic outlines to statements of the definite place of an object or action, is used in detailed pictures, and marks the object in the dative as distinct from the subject of the verbal action. ἐπί with the gen. is colourless and phraseological, and often makes, with the verb or the subject, a compound picture. Even in contrasting two objects ἐπί with gen. is used since no special point is made of position. With (unemphatic) pronouns of reference (αὐτοῦ) ἐπί with gen. is much more frequent than ἐπί with dat. The distinction between the two cases is often the result of feeling; and certain phrases become stereotyped, now with the gen., now with the dat.
b. Temporal, usually with personal gen.: in the time of:
in the time of our ancestorsἐπὶ τῶν προγόνων
in my timeἐπ᾽ ἐμοῦ
in the Decelean warἐπὶ τοῦ Δεκελεικου᾽ πολέμου
c. Other relations:
to persist in the same follyμενεῖν ἐπὶ τῆς ἀνοίᾱς τῆς αὐτῆς
what you see in the case of others, that you ignore in your own caseἃ ἐπὶ τῶν ἄλλων ὁρᾶτε, ταῦτ᾽ ἐφ᾽ ὑ̄μῶν αὐτῶν ἀγνοεῖτε
they proceeded by themselvesἐφ᾽ ἑαυτῶν ἐχώρουν
the men in powerοἱ ἐπὶ τῶν πρᾱγμάτων
2. ἐπί with the Dative
a. Local: on, by:
they dwell on the isthmusοἰκοῦσιν ἐπὶ τῷ ἰσθμῷ
b. Temporal (rare in prose):
the sun was near settingἦν ἥλιος ἐπὶ δυσμαῖς
c. Other relations: Succession, Addition:
answer the next questionτὸ ἐπὶ τούτῳ γ᾽ ἀπόκρῑναι
he rose up after himἀνέστη ἐπ᾽ αὐτῷ
relish with breadἐπὶ τῷ σί̄τῳ ὄψον
there was a commander over themἄρχων ἐπὶ τούτοις ἦν
as far as is in my powerκαθ᾽ ὅσον ἐστὶν ἐπ᾽ ἐμοί
on what terms we made the peaceἐφ᾽ οἷς τὴν εἰρήνην ἐποιησάμεθα
the alliance against the Medesἡ ἐπὶ τῷ Μήδῳ ξυμμαχίᾱ
3. ἐπί with the Accusative
a. Local: of the goal:
he marches to the riverἐξελαύνει ἐπὶ τὸν ποταμόν
he mounted his horseἀνέβαινεν ἐπὶ τὸν ἵππον
famous over all Asiaἐπὶ πᾶσαν Ἀσίᾱν ἐλλόγιμοι
b. Temporal: extension:
for many daysἐπὶ πολλὰ̄ς ἡμέρᾱς
c. Quantity, measure: ἐπὶ μῑκρόν a little, ἐπὶ πλέον still more, ἐπὶ πᾶν in general, πλάτος ἔχων πλεῖον η῍ ἐπὶ δύο στάδια wider than (up to) two stades X. C. 7.5.8.
d. Other relations: Purpose, object in view:
to send for the purpose of reconnoiteringπέμπειν ἐπὶ κατασκοπήν
they sent for moneyἀπέστειλαν ἐπὶ χρήματα
N.—To express purpose ἐπί with accus. is generally used when the purpose involves actual or implied motion to an object; ἐπί with dat. is used when the purpose may be attained by mental activity.
4. ἐπί in Composition
Upon (ἐπιγράφειν write upon), over (ἐπιπλεῖν sail over), at, of cause (ἐπιχαίρειν rejoice over or at), to, toward (ἐπιβοηθεῖν send assistance to), in addition (ἐπιδιδόναι give in addition), against (ἐπιβουλεύειν plot against), after (ἐπιγίγνεσθαι be born after, ἐπισκευάζειν repair); causative (ἐπαληθεύειν verify); intensity (ἐπικρύπτειν hide; ἐπιβουλεύεσθαι further deliberate = reflect); reciprocity (ἐπιμείγνυσθαι ἀλλήλοις exchange friendly dealings).
κατά
1690
κατά down (cp. κάτω), opposed to ἀνά. With the genitive (the genitive proper (of the goal) and the ablatival genitive) and the accusative. With the genitive, the motion is perpendicular; with the accusative, horizontal.
1. κατά with the Genitive
a. Local: down from, down toward, under:
having leapt down from the rockἁλάμενοι κατὰ τῆς πέτρᾱς
his soul went down under the earthψῡχὴ κατὰ χθονὸς ᾤχετο
the man under the earthὁ κατὰ γῆς
b. Temporal (very rare): κατὰ παντὸς τοῦ αἰῶνος for all eternity Lyc. 7.
c. Other relations: against, as
to speak against myselfκατ᾽ ἐμαυτοῦ ἐρεῖν
the eulogies on Demosthenesοἱ κατὰ Δημοσθένους ἔπαινοι
to speak with regard to allκατὰ πάντων λέγειν
2. κατά with the Accusative
a. Local:
they sailed down-streamἔπλεον κατὰ ποταμόν
following to the entrancesκατὰ τὰ̄ς εἰσόδους ἐφεπόμενοι
by landκατὰ γῆν
pursuing those stationed opposite themselvesδιώκοντες τοὺς καθ᾽ αὑτούς
b. Temporal (post-Homeric):
during the voyageκατὰ πλοῦν
his contemporariesοἱ καθ᾽ ἑαυτόν
c. Other relations: Purpose:
came for the purpose of seeingκατὰ θέᾱν ἧκεν
an orator after their styleκατὰ τούτους ῥήτωρ
according to the lawsκατὰ τοὺς νόμους
owing to friendshipκατὰ φιλίᾱν
quietlyκαθ᾽ ἡσυχίᾱν
nation by nationκατ᾽ ἔθνη
ten drachmae the manδέκα δραχμαὶ κατ᾽ ἄνδρα
per seκατὰ σφᾶς αὐτούς
about fiftyκατὰ πεντήκοντα
3. κατά in Composition
Down from above (καταπί̄πτειν fall down), back (καταλείπειν leave behind), against, adversely (καταγιγνώσκειν condemn, decide against, καταφρονεῖν despise), completely (καταπετροῦν stone to death, κατεσθίειν eat up), often with an intensive force that cannot be translated. An intransitive verb when compounded with κατά may become transitive (1559).
μετά
1691
μετά : original meaning amid, among (cp. Germ. mit, Eng. mid in midwife). Hence properly only with plurals or collectives (so in Hom. with gen. and dat.). μετά denotes participation, community of action. πεδά (Lesb. and other dialects) agrees in meaning with μετά , but is of different origin.
1. μετά with the Genitive
Usually of persons and abstract nouns.
Local: among, together with, as
sitting among the restκαθήμενος μετὰ τῶν ἄλλων
to sacrifice in company with themθῦσαι μετ᾽ ἐκείνων
the barbarians in the army of Cyrusοἱ μετὰ Κύ̄ρου βάρβαροι
to wage war on the side of the wrongedμετὰ τῶν ἠδικημένων πολεμεῖν
without the consent of the peopleοὐ μετὰ τοῦ πλήθους
showing himself powerful as well as sagaciousγενόμενος μετὰ τοῦ ξυνετοῦ καὶ δυνατός
grief and terrorλύ̄πη μετὰ φόβου
2. μετά with the Dative (Locative)
Chiefly Epic (usually with the plural or with the collective singular of persons or things personified, or of the parts of living objects):
he spake amid the suitorsμετὰ μνηστῆρσιν ἔειπεν
in their heartsμετὰ φρεσί
3. μετά with the Accusative
Local: into the midst of: νεκροὺς ἔρυσαν μετὰ λᾱὸν Ἀχαιῶν they dragged the dead into the midst of the host of the Achaeans E 573; with an idea of purpose: ἰέναι μετὰ Νέστορα to go after (in quest of) Nestor K 73. Extension over the midst of: μετὰ πληθύ̄ν throughout the multitude B 143. Phrase:
to have in handμετὰ χεῖρας ἔχειν
N.—From the use in
he went after the steps of the goddessμετ᾽ ἴχνια βαῖνε θεοῖο
after the Trojan warμετὰ τὰ Τρωϊκά
4. μετά in Composition
Among (μεταδιδόναι give a share), after, in quest of (μεταπέμπεσθαι send for). When one thing is among other things, it may be said to come after another, to succeed or alternate with it; hence of succession (μεθημερινός diurnus; cp. μεθ᾽ ἡμέρᾱν after daybreak), alteration or change (μεταγράφειν rewrite, μεταμέλειν repent i.e. care for something else).
When contrasted with σύν, μετά often denotes participation: ὁ μέτοχος the partner, ὁ συνών the companion. σύν often denotes something added. But μετά is usually the prose preposition for σύν, though it does not mean inclusive of.
παρά
1692
παρά (Hom. παραί, Lat. por- in porrigere) alongside, by, near. Except with the accusative παρά is commonly used of persons and personified things.
1. παρά with the (Ablatival) Genitive
Usually coming or proceeding from a person, in Hom. also of things; cp. de chez.
a. Local:
the deserters from the kingοἱ αὐτομολοῦντες παρὰ βασιλέως
b. Author, Source (cp. 1410): with verbs of receiving, taking, asking, learning, sending, etc.:
the Persians wrested the empire from the Medesπαρὰ Μήδων τὴν ἀρχὴν ἐλάμβανον Πέρσαι
we learned from youπαρὰ σοῦ ἐμάθομεν
the good-will on the part of the godsἡ παρὰ τῶν θεῶν εὔνοια
the gifts of Fortuneτὰ παρὰ τῆς τύχης δωρηθέντα
2. παρά with the Dative
Almost always of persons in standard Attic prose; cp. chez.
a. Local:
the boys do not eat with their mothers, but with their teachersοὐ παρὰ μητρὶ σῑτοῦνται οι᾽ παῖδες, ἀλλὰ παρὰ τῷ διδασκάλῳ
the places along the seaτὰ παρὰ θαλάττη χωρία
b. Other relations: Possessor:
this man has the gold, you the dangersτὸ μὲν χρῡσίον παρὰ τούτῳ, οἱ δὲ κίνδῡνοι παρ᾽ ὑ̄μῖν
those under the kingοἱ παρὰ βασιλεῖ ὄντες
blameless in the opinion of the troopsἀναίτιος παρὰ τοῖς στρατιώταις
3. παρά with the Accusative
a. Local: of motion to, in prose only of persons:
come to meἧκε παρ᾽ ἐμέ
sail along shoreπαρὰ γῆν πλεῖν
the ship they captured they set up alongside of the trophyἥνπερ ἔλαβον ναῦν, ἀνέθεσαν παρὰ τὸ τροπαῖον
he told him to remain close by himεἶπεν αὐτῷ μένειν παρ᾽ ἑαυτόν
the plain extending along the riverτὸ πεδίον τὸ παρὰ τὸν ποταμόν
besides this I have to say something elseἔχω παρὰ ταῦτα ἄλλο τι λέγειν
b. Temporal: (duration)
throughout the whole timeπαρὰ πάντα τὸν χρόνον
in the hour of dangerπαρὰ τὰ δεινά
c. Other relations: Cause = διά:
in consequence of our negligenceπαρὰ τὴν ἡμετέρᾱν ἀμέλειαν
the fortunes of the Greeks depend on thisτῶν Ἑλλήνων
by farπαρὰ πολύ
contrast with each otherἐξέτασον παρ᾽ ἄλληλα
4. παρά in Composition
Alongside, by, beside (παριέναι go alongside), beyond, past (παρελαύνειν drive past), over (παρορᾶν overlook), aside, amiss (παρακούειν misunderstand).
περί
1693
περί around (on all sides), about; cp. πέριξ round about. Lat. per in permagnus. περί is wider than ἀμφί: cp. X. Vect. 1.7 οὐ πεοίρρυτος οὖσα ὥσπερ νῆσος . . . ἀμφιθάλαττος γάρ ἐστι it (Attica) is not, like an island, surrounded by the sea . . . for it has the sea on two sides. On περί post-positive, see 1665.
1. περί with the Genitive
a. Local (poetic): περὶ τρόπιος βεβαώς riding on (astride) the keel ε 130.
b. Other relations: about, concerning (Lat. de), the subject about which an act or thought centres:
fighting for their countryπερὶ πατρίδος μαχούμενοι
fearing for his sonδείσᾱς περὶ τοῦ υἱοῦ
to speak about peaceλέγειν περὶ τῆς εἰρήνης
the relations of virtueτὰ περὶ τῆς ἀρετῆς
thou dost surpass women in beautyπερίεσσι γυναικῶν εἶδος
2. περί with the Dative
a. Local: about: of arms, dress, etc., in prose:
collars about their necksστρεπτοὶ περὶ τοῖς τραχήλοις
b. Other relations (usually poetic): External cause:
afraid for their shipsδείσαντες περὶ ταῖς ναυσίν
from fearπερὶ τάρβει
3. περί with the Accusative
a. Local: of position:
they despatched ships round about Peloponneseἀπέστειλαν ναῦς περὶ Πελοπόννησον
the followers of Heraclitusοἱ περὶ Ἡρἁ̄κλειτον
b. Indefinite statement of time and number:
about dawnπερὶ ὄρθρον
c. Other relations: Occupation:
those who are engaged in liberal pursuitsοἱ περὶ τὴν μουσικὴν ὄντες
the laws about marriageοἱ νόμοι οἱ περὶ τοὺς γάμους
most impious in regard to the godsπερὶ θεοὺς ἀσεβέστατοι
naval affairsτὰ περὶ τὰ̄ς ναῦς
4. περί in Composition
Around, about (περιέχειν surround), beyond, over (περιεῖναι excel; and περιορᾶ<*> look beyond, overlook, suffer), (remaining) over (περιγίγνεσθαι remain over, result, and excel), exceedingly (περιχαρής very glad).
πρό
1694
πρό (Lat. pro, for) before. Cp. ἀντί, which is narrower in meaning.
1. πρό with the Genitive only
a. Local:
in front of the wagonsπρὸ τῶν ἁμαξῶν
b. Temporal:
before the battleπρὸ τῆς μάχης
c. Other relations: Defence or care (cp. ὑπέρ): διακινδῡνευειν πρὸ βασιλέως to incur danger in defence of (prop. in front of) the king X. C. 8.8.4. Preference (cp. ἀντί): οἱ ἐπαινοῦντες πρὸ δικαιοσύνης ἀδικίᾱν th<*>se who laud injustice in preference to justice P. R. 361e, πρὸ πολλοῦ ποιεῖσθαι to esteem highly (in preference to much) I. 5.138, φωνεῖν πρὸ τῶνδε to speak for them (as their spokesman) S. O. T. 10 (ἀντὶ τῶνδε = as their deputy, ὑπὲρ τῶνδε as their champion).
2. πρό in Composition
Before, forward, forth (προβάλλειν put forward), for, in behalf of, in defence of, in public (προαγορεύειν give public notice), beforehand (πρόδηλος manifest beforehand), in preference (προαιρεῖσθαι choose in preference).
πρός
1695
πρός (Hom. also προτί), at, by (fronting). Of like meaning, but of different origin, is Hom. ποτί.
1. πρός with the Genitive
a. Local (not common in prose):
the wall facing the westτὸ πρὸς ἑσπέρᾱς τεῖχος
having the pack-animals on the side toward the riverτὰ ὑποζύγια ἔχοντες πρὸς τοῦ ποταμοῦ
b. Other relations: Descent:
on the father's sideπρὸς πατρός
for it was not the way of Cyrusοὐ γὰρ ἦν πρὸς τοῦ Κύ̄ρου τρόπου
making a truce more to the advantage of the Thebans than of his own partyσπονδὰ̄ς ποιησάμενος πρὸς Θηβαίων μᾶλλον ἢ πρὸς ἑαυτ ῶν
by the godsπρὸς θεῶν
2. πρός with the Dative
In a local sense, denoting proximity (generally, in prose, of towns or buildings, not of persons):
to fight near the cityπρὸς τῇ πόλει τὴν μάχην ποιεῖσθαι
to be dedicated in the common shrinesπρὸς ἱεροῖς τοῖς κοινοῖς ἀνατεθῆναι
he was wholly intent upon his gainἦν ὅλος πρὸς τῷ λήμματι
besides theseπρὸς αὐτοῖς
to speak before the arbitratorπρὸς τῷ διαιτητῆ λέγειν
3. πρός with the Accusative
a. Local (direction toward or to, strictly fronting, facing):
we will lead you to themὑ̄μᾶς ἄξομεν πρὸς αὐτούς
to go against the enemyἰέναι πρὸς τοὺς πολεμίους
b. Temporal (rare):
toward daybreakπρὸς ἡμέρᾱν
c. Other relations: friendly or hostile relation:
speak to meπρὸς ἐμὲ λέγετε
friendship with youφιλίᾱ πρὸς ὑ̄μᾶς
enmity to the Argivesἔχθρᾱ πρὸς τοὺς Ἀργείους
a sea-fight between the Corinthians and the Corcyreansναυμαχίᾱ Κορινθίων πρὸς Κερκῡραίους
he has nothing to do with the cityοὐδὲν αὐτῷ πρὸς τὴν πόλιν ἐστίν
to speak in order to court favourπρὸς χάριν λέγειν
wherefore be well advisedπρὸς ταῦτα βουλεύεσθε εὖ
according to meritπρὸς τὴν ἀξίᾱν
nor did they estimate happiness by the money-standardοὐδὲ πρὸς ἀργύριον τὴν εὐδαιμονίᾱν ἔκρῑνον
the simpler class of men, in comparison with the more astute, manage their public affairs betterοί φαυλότεροι τῶν ἀνθρώπων πρὸς τοὺς ξυνετωτέρους . . . ἄμεινον οἰκοῦσι τὰ̄ς πόλεις
to exchange pleasures for pleasuresἡδονὰ̄ς πρὸς ἡδονὰ̄ς καταλλάττεσθαι
4. πρός in Composition
To, toward (προσελαύνειν drive to, προστρέπειν turn toward), in addition (προσλαμβάνειν take in addition), against (προσκρούειν strike against, be angry with). Often in the general sense of additionally, qualifying the whole sentence rather than the verb.
σύν
1696
σύν (Older Attic ξύν; cp. Ion. ξῡνός from κονιος ῀ κοινός, Lat. cum) with.
1. σύν with the Instrumental Dative only.
a. In standard (i.e. not Xenophontic) prose σύν has been almost driven out of use by μετά. It is used (1) in old formulas, as σὺν (τοῖς) θεοῖς with the help of the gods, σὺν (τοῖς) ὅπλοις in arms, etc. (of things attached to a person), σὺν νῷ intelligently; (2) of sum totals (along with, including), as
he has more than ten talents interest includedσὺν τοῖς ἔργοις πλέον ἢ δέκα τάλαντα ἔχει
b. σύν is usually poetic (rare in comedy) and Xenophontic; it is often used in the formulas of a (1) and of persons and things personified. Its older and poetic meaning is along with (of something secondary or added to the action) and with the help of. So in Xen.: together with, along with:
to sup with your wifeσὺν τῆ γυναικὶ δειπνεῖν
to fight with his helpσὺν ἐκείνῳ μάχεσθαι
c. Means and Instrument (regarded as accompaniments of an action: the comitative instrumental): ἡ κτῆσις αὐτῶν ἔστιν οὐδαμῶς σὺν τῇ βίᾳ, ἀλλὰ μᾶλλον σὺν τῇ εὐεργεσίᾳ they (friends) are acquired, not by forcible means, but by kindness X. C. 8.7.13.
d. Manner:
they went laughingσὺν γέλωτι ἦλθον
2. σύν in Composition
Together with (συμβιοῦν live with, συμπορεύεσθαι march in company with), together (συμβάλλειν conicere), completely (συμπληροῦν fill up), contraction in size (συντέμνειν cut short), and generally of union or connection. Standard prose uses συν- freely.
ὑπέρ
1697
ὑπέρ (Hom. also ὑπείρ) over, Lat. super. For the contrast with ἐπί, see 1689.
1. ὑπέρ with the Genitive
a. Local: from over:
they came down over the heightsὑπὲρ τῶν ἄκρων κατέβαινον
above the village was a hillὑπὲρ τῆς κώμης γήλοφος ἦν
b. Other relations: in defence of, on behalf of: μαχόμενος ὑπὲρ ὑ̄μῶν fighting for you (standing over to protect) P. L. 642c; in place of, in the name of:
I will speak both for you and for ourselvesἐγὼ λέξω καὶ ὑπὲρ σοῦ καὶ ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν
in order to get thisὑπὲρ τοῦ ταῦτα λαβεῖν
fear for the futureφόβος ὑπὲρ τοῦ μέλλοντος
not about your just claims nor about your foreign interestsμὴ περὶ τῶν δικαίων μηδ᾽ ὑπὲρ τῶν ἔξω πρᾱγμάτων
2. ὑπέρ with the Accusative
a. Local:
he passed over the thresholdὑπὲρ οὐδὸν ἐβήσετο
those who dwell beyond the Hellespontοἱ ὑπὲρ Ἑλλήσποντον οἰκοῦντες
b. Temporal ( = πρό) rare:
before the Persian warsὑπὲρ τὰ Μηδικά
c. Measure:
more than halfὑπὲρ ἥμισυ
beyond the power of manὑπὲρ ἄνθρωπον
3. ὑπέρ in Composition
Over, above (ὑπερβάλλειν cross over, ὑπερέχειν trans. hold over, intr. be above), in behalf of, for (ὑπερμαχεῖν poet. fight for), exceedingly (ὑπερφρονεῖν be over-proud).
ὑπό
1698
ὑπό (Hom. also ὑπαί, Lesbian ὐπα-), under, by, Lat. sub.
1. ὑπό with the Genitive
a. Local (rare in Attic prose): out from under (poet., cp. ὑπέκ):
a spring flows out from a caveῥέει κρήνη ὑπὸ σπείους
taking an ox from a wagonλαβὼν βοῦν ὑπὸ ἁμάξης
all things under the earthἅπαντα
b. Other relations (metaphorically under the agency of): Direct agent (with passives and with verbs having a passive force); contrast διά, 1685. 2. d:
saved by youσωθέντες ὑπὸ σοῦ
informed by desertersαἰσθόμενος ὑπ᾽ αὐτομόλων
to be well spoken of by menεὖ ἀκούειν ὑπὸ ἀνθρώπων
the indictment brought by Meletusἡ ὑπὸ Μελήτου γραφή
invitation by the Senateκλῆσις ὑπὸ τῆς βουλῆς
perished of hungerἀπώλετο ὑπὸ λῑμοῦ
not going out far because of the cavalryοὐκ ἐπὶ πολὺ ὑπὸ τῶν ἰππέων ἐξιόντες
constrained by the strongest motives, honour and fear and profitὑπὸ τῶν μεγίστων νῑκηθέντες, τῑμῆς καὶ δέους καὶ ὠφελίᾱς
they shot under the lashἐτόξευον ὑπὸ μαστί̄γων
to the accompaniment of flute-playersὑπὸ αὐλητῶν
hastilyὑπὸ σπουδῆς
N. 1.—ὑπό with the genitive of a thing personifies the thing. The things so personified are (1) words implying a person, as λόγοι, (2) external circumstances, as συμφορά̄, κίνδῡνος, νόμος, (3) natural phenomena, as χειμών, (4) emotions, as φθόνος. The dative may also be employed. See 1493, 1494.
N. 2.—On ὑπό to express the personal agent with the perf. pass. see 1493.
2. ὑπό with the Dative
a. Local: under (of rest):
to stand under a treeἑστάναι ὑπό τινι δένδρῳ
b. Other relations: Agent (poetic, except with verbs signifying to educate): ὑπὸ παιδοτρίβῃ ἀγαθῷ πεπαιδευμένος educated under (the guidance of) a good master P. Lach. 184e. Coöperative cause (poet.): βῆ ὑπ᾽ ἀμύ̄μονι πομπῇ he went under a blameless convoy Z 171. Subjection: οί ὑπὸ βασιλεῖ ὄντες the subjects of (i.e. those under) the king X. C. 8.1.6,
to bring under his own powerὑφ᾽ αὑτῷ ποιήσασθαι
3. ὑπό with the Accusative
a. Local: Motion under: ὑπ᾽ αὐτὸν (τὸν λόφον)
halting the army under the hillστήσᾱς τὸ στράτευμα
I shall go down under the earthεἶμ᾽ ὑπὸ γαῖαν
the villages at the foot of the mountainὑπὸ τὸ ὄρος κῶμαι
b. Temporal (of time impending or in progress): ὑπὸ νύκτα at the approach of night (sub noctem) T. 2.92,
during the nightὑπὸ νύκτα
at the time of the peaceὑπὸ τὴν εἰρήνην
c. Other relations. Subjection:
to bring under their own swayὑπὸ σφᾶς ποιεῖσθαι
4. ὑπό in Composition
Under (ὑποτιθέναι place under), behind (ὑπολείπειν leave behind), secretly (cp. underhand; ὑποπέμπειν send as a spy), gradually (ὑποκαταβαίνειν descend by degrees), slightly (ὑποφαίνειν shine a little); of accompaniment (ὑπᾴδειν accompany with the voice); of an action performed by another (ὑποκηρύ̄ττεσθαι have oneself proclaimed by the herald).
IMPROPER PREPOSITIONS
1699
Improper prepositions do not form compounds (1647).
1700
With the Genitive.
The list below contains some of the adverbial words used as prepositions.
[The more important words are printed in fat type. An asterisk denotes words used only in poetry.]
ἀγχοῦ near, poet. and Ionic (also with dat.). ἄνευ without, except, besides, away from, rarely after its case. ἀντία, ἀντίον facing, against, poet. and Ionic (also with dat.). ἄτερ without, apart from, away from. ἄχρι and μέχρι as far as, until (of place, time, and number). δίκην after the manner of (accus. of δίκη). δίχα* apart from, unlike, except. ἐγγύς near (with dat. poetical). εἴσω (ἔσω) within. ἑκάς far from, poetic and Ionic. ἑκατέρωθεν on both sides of. ἐκτός without. ἔμπροσθεν before. ἐναντίον in the presence of (poet. against, gen. or dat.). ἕνεκα, ἕνεκεν (Ion. εἵνεκα, εἵνεκεν) on account of, for the sake of, with regard to, usually postpositive. From such combinations as τούτου ἕνεκα arose, by fusion, the illegitimate preposition οὕνεκα (found chiefly in the texts of the dramatists). ἔνερθε* beneath. ἐντός within. ἔξω out of, beyond (of time), except. εὐθύ straight to. καταντικρύ over against. κρύφα, λάθρᾳ unbeknown to. μεταξύ between. μέχρι as far as. νόσφι* apart from. ὄπισθεν behind. πάρος* before. πέλας* near (also with dat.). πέρᾱ beyond (ultra). πέρᾱν across (trans). πλήν except, as
except slavesπλὴν ἀνδραπόδων
it is clear to everybody except meπαντὶ δῆλον πλὴν ἐμοί
1701
With the Dative.
ἅμα together with, at the same time with. ὁμοῦ together with, close to.
1702
With the Accusative.
ὡς to, of persons only, used after verbs expressing or implying motion. Probably used especially in the language of the people.
Herbert Weir Smyth.
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