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[292] ἤμβροτεν is described as a sort of metathesis for “ἤμαρτεν”. Compare “ἔδρακον” and “δέρκομαι, ἔδραθον” and “δαρθάνω, ἔπραθον” and “πέρθω”. The insertion of “β” is analogous to the process which produces “μεσημβρία” for “μεσημ-ρία”. Curtius maintains the old etymology of “ἁμαρτάνω” from “” priv. and root “μερ”, as in “μείρομαι, ἔμ-μορ-α”. Others refer it to a different root “μερ”, Skt. smar, meaning ‘to think of,’ ‘to remember.’ Cp. “μερ-μηρίζω” and Lat. me-mor; so that the original meaning would be to ‘let slip from the mind.’ G. Meyer, Gr. Gr. § 25 Anmerk. treats “ἤμβροτον” as one of the rare (Aeolic?) examples of “ρο” instead of “ρα” repeating the sonant liquid=so that “ἤμβροτον” comes from a stem “αμρτο”.

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