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[647] μνήσομαι: aor. subj. ἀσύφηλον: a word of unknown origin recurring only in 24.767. The meaning seems to be degrading or vile, here wrought vileness on me. The most obvious relation of the word is with the equally obscure “σιφλός”, for which see note on 14.142. It is at least a curious coincidence that as the meaning of that word exactly agrees with the Arabic safala, to fall low, so “ἀσύφηλος” should correspond with the Arabic superlative asfal, most vile, from the same root. (For “υ” as a connecting vowel in an Oriental word cf. the form “Τύμωλος” by “Τμῶλος”.) But it is more orthodox to refer the word to “σοφός” and explain it foolish.

The Iliad, edited, with apparatus criticus, prolegomena, notes, and appendices. Walter Leaf. London. Macmillan. 1900.

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