Encyclopedia of Ancient Greek Language and Linguistics

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Zoonyms (Names of Mammals)
(979 words)

Abstract

Greek zoonyms can be classified according to both zoological key terms and origin: thus they reflect Indo-European heritage, internal formation, cultural loans (Semitic/Egyptian/Berber), unknown (substratal?) origin. Mycenaean parallels ought to be quoted too, including derivatives and proper names.

In the rich Greek zoological terminology two general terms are used: zôion ‘living being, animal’, from the verbzṓō ‘to live’ (*gi̯eh₃-), and thḗr (Il.), Aeol. phḗr ‘wild animal’ (*ĝʰu̯eh₁r-), perhaps attested in Myc. qe-ra-j…

Cite this page
Václav Blažek, “Zoonyms (Names of Mammals)”, in: Encyclopedia of Ancient Greek Language and Linguistics, General Editor: Georgios K. Giannakis. Consulted online on 19 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2214-448X_eagll_SIM_00000542>
First published online: 2013



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