[*] 2920.
μήν (postpositive): (1) asseverative,
in truth, surely; (2) adversative, especially after a negative,
yet,
however. The forms
μήν (Hom., Att.),
μά_ν (Hom., Lesb., Dor., lyric parts of tragedy),
μέν truly (Hom., Att.) and
μά in oaths are all connected.
μήν emphasizes either a whole statement or a single word.
““
ὧδε γὰρ ἐξερέω, καὶ μὴν τετελεσμένον ἔσται”
for thus I will declare, and verily it shall be accomplished”
Ψ 410; ““
καλὸν μὲν ἡ ἀλήθεια . . ., ἔοικε μὴν οὐ ῥᾴδιον πείθειν”
truth is a fine thing, yet it does not seem an easy thing to persuade”
P. L. 663e,
εἰ δ᾽ ἄγε μήν come now, on then A 302, ““
οὐδὲν μὴν κωλύ_ει”
but nothing hinders”
P. Phae. 268e.
[*] 2921.
Combinations of μήν:
ἀλλὰ μήν ( . . .
γε)
but surely; but yet; nay,
indeed; well,
in truth. Often used to add something of greater importance, or in transitions when a new idea is opposed to the foregoing.
ἀλλὰ μήν is often separated by a negative.
ἦ μήν verily,
verily. Often to introduce an oath or a threat.
καὶ μήν and verily or
and yet according to the context.
καὶ μήν frequently introduces a new fact or thought and hence often denotes transition, sometimes opposition (
further,
however,
and yet). In tragedy this formula is used to mark the beginning of a new scene, as when the arrival of a newcomer is thus signalized (
but here comes); as ““
καὶ μὴν ἄναξ ὅδε”
and lo! here is the king”
S. O. C. 549. In
replies,
καὶ μήν usually confirms the last remark, accedes to a request, or denotes hearty assent; sometimes there is an adversative sense (
and yet; and (
yet)
surely; oh,
but). In
enumerations,
καὶ μήν adds a new fact (
and besides).
και μὴν . . . γε in transitions or enumerations marks something of still greater importance; but it is not so strong as
καὶ μὲν δή. Here
γέ emphasizes the word or words with which it is immediately connected. In replies,
and indeed,
and yet or
oh,
but; as ““
καὶ μὴν ποιήσω γε”
and yet I will do it”
S. El. 1045.
καὶ μὴν καί (neg.
καὶ μὴν οὐδέ)
and in truth also.
ου᾽ μήν surely not,
ου᾽ μὴν ἀλλά nevertheless (
2767),
ου᾽ μὴν οὐδέ nor again (
2768),
οὐδὲ μήν and certainly not.
τί μήν; lit.
what indeed (
quid uero), as
ἀλλὰ τί μὴν δοκεῖς;
but what in truth is your opinion? P. Th. 162b.
τί μήν; standing alone, has the force of
naturally,
of course. Thus,
λέγουσιν ἡμᾶς ὡς ὀλωλότας, τί μήν;
they speak of us as dead,
and why should they not? A. Ag. 672. Often in Plato to indicate assent.
τί μὴν οὔ; (
why indeed not=)
of course I do.
