[*] 2848.
δαί is used in colloquial Attic after interrogative words to express wonder, indignation, etc. Thus,
τί δαί; πῶς δαί;
what then? how so?
[*] 2849.
δῆθεν truly,
forsooth, is commonly used of apparent or pretended truth, and mostly with an ironical tone. Thus, ““
ἐκερτόμησας δῆθεν ὡς παῖδ᾽ ὄντα με”
thou hast mocked me forsooth as though I were a child”
A. Pr. 986.
[*] 2850.
δήπου probably,
I presume,
I should hope, doubtless,
you will admit, is stronger than
πού perhaps,
I suppose.
δήπου often has a touch of irony or doubt in stating a case that would seem to be certain; as
ἴστε δήπου ὅθεν ἥλιος ἀνίσχει you know,
I presume,
where the sun rises X. A. 5.7.6. In questions
δήπου expects the answer
yes.
οὐ δήπου certainly not and
is it not so? (with irony).
[*] 2851.
δῆτα assuredly,
really,
in truth, is rare outside of Attic. It occurs: (a) In answers, often when a word is repeated with assent; as ““
γιγνώσκεθ᾽ ὑ_μεῖς ἥτις ἔσθ᾽ ἥδ᾽ ἡ γυνή; γιγνώσκομεν δῆτα”
do you know who this woman is? Yes indeed we do”
Ar. Thesm. 606;
οὐ δῆτα surely not, in strong or indignant denial. (b) In questions, to mark an inference or consequence, as
πῶς δῆτα;
how in truth? τί δῆτα;
what then? καὶ δῆτα ἐτόλμας;
and didst thou really dare? S. Ant. 449. (c) In wishes and deprecations (stronger than
δή), as ““
σκόπει δῆτα”
only look”
P. G. 452b,
μὴ δῆτα, θυ_μέ, μή σύ γ᾽ ἐργάσῃ τάδε no indeed, my heart,
do not this deed E. Med. 1056.
