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γάρ (γε, ἄρα), causal Conj., used alone or with other Particles.
I. introducing the reason or cause of what precedes, for, “τῷ γὰρ ἐπὶ φρεσὶ θῆκε θεὰ λευκώλενος Ἥρη: κήδετο γ. ΔαναῶνIl.1.56, etc.; but freq. in expl. of that wh. is implied in the preceding clause, “πολλάων πολίων κατέλυσε κάρηνα . . τοῦ γὰρ κράτος ἐστὶ μέγιστον2.118, etc.: hence,
c. to introduce a detailed description or narration already alluded to, ὅμως δὲ λεκτέα γιγνώσκω: ἔχει γ. [ἡ χώρα] πεδία κάλλιστα . . X.An.5.6.6, etc.
d. in answers to questions or statements challenging assent or denial, yes, . . , no, . . , οὔκουν . . ἀνάγκη ἐστί;—ἀνάγκη γ. οὖν, ἔφη, ay doubtless it is necessary, X.Cyr.2.1.7, cf. § 4 and 13; indicating assent, “ἔχει γ.Pl.Phdr.268a; ἱκανὸς γ., ἔφη, συμβαίνει γ., ἔφη, Id.R.502b, 502c,cf. Ap.41a, etc.; οὔκουν δὴ τό γ᾽ εἰκός.—οὐ γ.: Id.Phdr.276c.
c. attached to the hypothet. Particle instead of being joined to the apodosis, οὐδ᾽ εἰ γ. ἦν τὸ πρᾶγμα μὴ θεήλατον, ἀκάθαρτον ὑμᾶς εἰκὸς ἦν οὕτως ἐᾶν, i.e. οὐδὲ γ. εἰ ἦν . . , S.OT255.
3. in elliptical phrases, where that of which γάρ gives the reason is omitted, and must be supplied,
a. freq. in Trag. dialogue and Pl., when yes or no may be supplied from the context, καὶ δῆτ᾽ ἐτόλμας τούσδ᾽ ὑπερβαίνειν νόμους;—οὐ γ. τί μοι Ζεὺς ἦν κηρύξας τάδε [yes], for it was not Zeus, etc., S.Ant.450, cf. OT102, etc.; “καλῶς γὰρ αὐτὸς ἠγάνισαιPl. Smp.194a; freq. in phrase ἔστι γ. οὕτω [yes], for so it is, i. e. yes certainly: λέγεταί τι καινόν; γένοιτο γ. ἄν τι καινότερον . . ; [why,] could there be . . ? D.4.10; with negs., Ar.Ra.262 τούτῳ γ. οὐ νικήσετε [do so], yet shall ye never prevail by this means: for ἀλλὰ γ., v. infr.11.1.
b. to confirm or strengthen something said, οἵδ᾽ οὐκέτ᾽ εἰσί: τοῦτο γάρ σε δήξεται [I say this], for it will sting thee, E. Med.1370: after an Exclamation, “ πόποι: ἀνάριθμα γ. φέρω πήματαS.OT168 (lyr.), cf. E.Hel.857.
c. in conditional propositions, where the condition is omitted, else, οὐ γ. ἄν με ἔπεμπον πάλιν (sc. εἰ μὴ ἐπίστευον) X.An.7.6.33; γίνεται γ. κοινωνία συμμαχία for in that case, Arist.Pol.1280b8.
4. in abrupt questions, why, what, τίς γ. σε θεῶν ἐμοὶ ἄγγελον ἧκεν; why who hath sent thee? Il.18.182; πῶς γ. νῦν . . εὕδουσι; 10.424; πατροκτονοῦσα γ. ξυνοικήσεις ἐμοί; what, wilt thou . . ? A.Ch.909: generally, after interrog. Particles, γ. . . ; what, was it . . ? S.OT1000,1039, etc.; τί γ.; quid enim? i. e. it must be so, Id.OC539,542,547, etc.; τί γ. δή ποτε; D.21.44; also πῶς γ.; πῶς γ. οὔ;, v. πῶς.
5. to strengthen a wish, c. opt., κακῶς γ. ἐξόλοιο O that you might perish ! E.Cyc.261; cf. αἴ, εἰ, εἴθε, πῶς.
II. joined with other Particles:
2. γ. ἄρα for indeed, Pl.Prt.315d, Smp.205b.
3. γ. δή for of course, for you know, Il.2.301,23.607, Hdt.1.34, 114, etc.; φάμεν γ. δή yes certainly we say so, Pl.Tht.187e, cf. 164d; “οὐ γ. δήS.Ant.46, etc.
4.γ. νυOd.14.359.
5. γ. οὖν for indeed, to confirm or explain, Il.15.232, Hdt.5.34, S.Ant.489,771, etc.; φησὶ γ. οὖν yes of course he says so, Pl.Tht.170a; “γ. οὖν δήId.Prm.148c, etc.; οὐ γ. οὖν ib.134b; cf. τοιγαροῦν.
6. γ. που for I suppose, esp. with negs., Id.R.381c, Phd.62d, etc.; “οὐ γ. δήπουId.Prt.309c.
8. γ. τε, 23.156; also “τε γ.D.19.159, Arist.Pol.1333a2, al.
9. γ. τοι for surely . . , E.Hel.93, Supp.564, etc.; “οὐ γ. τοιOd.21.172, etc.; cf. τοιγάρτοι.
B. POSITION: γάρ prop. stands after the first word in a clause, but in Pocts it freq. stands third or fourth, when the preceding words are closely connected, as μὲν γὰρ . . S.Aj.764; χἠ ναῦς γὰρ . . Id.Ph.527; τό τ᾽ εἰκαθεῖν γὰρ . . Id.Ant.1096; τὸ μὴ θέμις γὰρ . . A.Ch.641, cf. 753: also in Prose, τὸ κατ᾽ ἀξίαν γὰρ . . Arist. EN1163b11: sts. for metrical reasons, where there is no such connexion, as third (A.Ag.222.729, S.Ph.219 (all lyr.)), fourth (Ar.Av.1545); in later Com. fifth (Men.462.2); sixth (Antiph.26.22); seventh (Men.Epit.531, Pk.170, Athenio 1.5); once sixth in S., “καιρὸς καὶ πλοῦς ὅδ᾽ ἐπείγει γὰρ κατὰ πρύμνανPh.1451.
2. inserted before the demonstr. -ί, as νυνγαρί for νυνὶ γάρ; cf. νυνί.
C. QUANTITY: γάρ is sts. long in Hom. metri gr., “θήσειν γὰρ ἔτ᾽ ἔμελλενIl.2.39; “φωνῆς γὰρ ἤκουσαh.Cer.57.—In Att. always short: Ar.Eq.366, V.217, Lys.20 are corrupt.
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