Herbert Weir Smyth, A Greek Grammar for Colleges

LAST PART OF A COMPOUND

[*] 887. Nouns beginning with α^, ε, ο lengthen these vowels (α^ and ε to η, ο to ω) unless they are long by position. στρατ-ηγός army-leading, general (στρατός, ἄγω), εὐ-ήνεμος with fair wind (εὖ well, ἄνεμος), ξεν-ηλασία_ driving out of foreigners (ξένος, ἐλαύνω), ἀν-ώνυμος nameless (ἀν-, ὄνομα), ἀν-ώμαλος uneven (ἀν-, ὁμαλός).

a. Some compounds of ἄγω lead show α_: λοχ-α_γός captain (λόχος company).

b. By analogy to the compound the simple form sometimes assumes a long vowel: ἠνεμόεσσα windy. Cp. 28 D.

c. Lengthening rarely occurs when a preposition or πᾶς precedes: συν-ωμοσία_ conspiracy (ὄμνυ_μι swear), παν-ήγυρις general assembly (ἄγυρις ῀ ἀγορά_).

d. The lengthening in 887 is properly the result of early contraction (στρατο ¨ αγος). On the pattern of such contracted forms irrational lengthening occurs when the first part of the compound ends in a consonant, as δυσ-ηλεγής (for δυσ-αλεγής) cruel from ἀλέγω care for.

[*] 888. A noun forming the last part of a compound often changes its final syllable.

N. Masculine or feminine nouns of the second or third declensions usually remain unaltered: ἔν-θεος inspired, ἄ-παις childless.

a. -ος, -η, -ον: form compound adjectives from nouns of the first declension, neuters of the second declension, nouns of the third declension, and from many verb-stems. ἄ-τι_μος dishonoured (τι_μή), σύν-δειπνος companion at table (δεῖπνο-ν meal), ἄν-αιμος bloodless (αἷμα, 875), ἑκατόγ-χειρος hundred-handed (χείρ), δασμοφόρος bringing tribute (φέρ-ω), γεω-γράφος geographer 871 b. N. (γράφ-ω), ἰχθυο-φάγος fish-eating (φαγεῖν 529. 5).

b. -ης, -ες: form compound adjectives from nouns of the first and third declensions, and from many verb-stems: ἀ-τυχής unfortunate (τύχη), δεκα-ετής of ten years (ϝέτος), εὐ-ειδής beautiful in form (εἶδος), εὐ-μαθής quick at learning (μανθάνω, μαθ-), ἀ-φανής invisible (φαίνω, φαν-).

c. Other endings are -ης (gen. -ου), -της, -τηρ: γεω-μέτρης surveyor (871 b. N.), νομο-θέτης law-giver (νόμος, τίθημι, θε-), μηλο-βοτήρ shepherd (μῆλον, βό-σκω feed).

d. Neuters in -μα make adjectives in -μων: πρᾶγμα thing, ἀ-πρά_γμων inactive. φρήν mind becomes -φρων: εὔ-φρων well-minded, cheerful.—πατήρ father becomes -πάτωρ: ἀ-πάτωρ fatherless, φιλο-πάτωρ loving his father.

e. Compounds of γῆ land end in -γειος, -γεως: κατά-γειος subterranean, λεπτό-γεως of thin soil.—Compounds of ναῦς ship, κέρας horn, γῆρας old age end in -ως, as περί-νεως supercargo, ὑψί-κερως lofty-antlered (163 a), ἀ-γήρως free from old age.

[*] 889. The last member of a compound is often a verbal element that is not used separately: ἀγαλματ-ο-ποιός statue-maker, sculptor, ὑπ-ήκοος subject (ἀκούω hear, ἀκήκοα), λογο-γράφος speech-writer. -φορος bringing, -δομος building, -δρομος running are used separately in the meanings tribute, building, race.

[*] 890. An abstract word can enter into composition only by taking a derivative ending (usually -ια_) formed from a real or assumed compound adjective: ναῦ-ς ship, μάχη fight = ναύ-μαχος, whence ναυ-μαχία_ naval battle; εὖ well, βουλή counsel = εὔ-βουλος, whence εὐ-βουλία_ good counsel; ἀν-neg., ἀρχή rule = ἄν-αρχος, whence ἀν-αρχία_ anarchy; εὖ well, πρᾶξις doing = *εὐπρα_ξος, whence εὐ-πρα_ξία_ well-doing. Contrast εὐ-βουλία_ with προ-βουλή forethought, εὐ-λογία_ eulogy with πρό-λογος prologue.

a. Only after a preposition does an abstract word remain unchanged: προβουλή forethought. Exceptions are rare: μισθο-φορά_ receipt of wages (μισθός, φορά_).

[*] 891. Compound Verbs.—Verbs can be compounded directly only by prefixing a preposition, as συμ-μάχομαι fight along with.

a. A preposition (πρό-θεσις) derived its name from this use as a prefix. Originally all prepositions were adverbs modifying the verb, and in Homer are partly so used. See 1638, 1639. Cp. upheave and heave up.

[*] 892. All compound verbs not compounded with prepositions are denominatives (ending in -εω) and formed from real or assumed compound nouns. From ναῦς ship and μάχη fight comes ναύμαχος fighting in ships, whence ναυμαχέω fight in ships; so οἰκοδομέω build a house from οἰκο-δόμος house-builder (οἶκος, δέμω). Contrast ἀνα-πείθω bring over, convince with ἀ-πιστέω disbelieve (ἄ-πιστος); ἀντι-λέγω speak against with ὁμο-λογέω agree (ὁμόλογος agreeing).—εὖ ἀγγέλλω announce good news cannot form a verb εὐαγγελλω.

a. ἀτι_μάω (ἀτίω) dishonour, δακρυχέω shed tears are exceptions. ἀν-ομοιόω make unlike is not from ἀν- and ὁμοιόω but from ἀν-όμοιος unlike.