A.earnest-money, caution-money, deposited by the purchaser and forfeited if the purchase is not completed, “ἀ. δοῦναί τινος” Is.8.20, cf. Arist.Pol.1259a12, Stilpoap.D.L.2.118, BGU446.18 (ii A. D.): pl., deposits required from public contractors, IPE12.32B34 (Olbia).
2. generally, pledge, earnest, “τὴν τέχνην ἔχοντες ἀ. τοῦ ζῆν” Antiph.123.6; “τοῦ δυστυχεῖν . . ἀ. ἔχειν” Men.697, cf. LXX Ge. 38.17,18, Ep.Eph.1.14.
3. present, bribe, Plu.Galb.17. (Semitic, prob. Phoenician, word, Hebr. 'ērābōn: freq. written ἀραβών, UPZ 67.14 (ii B.C.), Ep.Eph. l. c., etc.)