φημί Root ΦΑ, cf. φάω the imperf. act. should be ἔφην, like the aor2, but ἔφασκον was generally used instead.
I.Radical sense: to declare, make known; and so, to say, affirm, assert, either absol., or foll. by inf. or by acc.; the inf. is often omitted, σὲ κακὸν καὶ ἀνάλκιδα φήσει (sc. εἶναι) Il.; but also, Κορινθίους τί φῶμεν; what shall we say of them? Xen.:—then, since what one says commonly expresses a belief or opinion, to think, deem, suppose, Il.; φαίης κε ζάκοτόν τέ τιν᾽ ἔμμεναι ἄφρονά τε you would say, would think, he was . . , id=Il.; μὴ φαθὶ λεύσσειν think not that you see, Theocr.
II.Special Phrases:
1.φασί, they say, it is said, Hom., attic; but in Prose also φησί, like French on dit, Dem.; (so Lat. inquit, ait).
2.φημί is sometimes joined with a synon. Verb. e.g. ἔφη λέγων, ἔφησε λέγων Hdt.; λέγει οὐδὲν φαμένη id=Hdt.
3.in repeating dialogues, the Verb commonly goes before its subject, ἔφην ἐγώ, ἔφη ὁ Σωκράτης said I, said Socrates; but the order is sometimes inverted, ἐγὼ ἔφην, ὁ Σωκράτης ἔφη I said, Socrates said.
III.in a more definite sense, like κατάφημι, to say yes, affirm, Hom., attic; καὶ τοὺς φάναι and they said yes, Hdt.; καί φημι κἀπόφημι Soph.; whereas οὔ φημι means to say no, deny, refuse, ἡ Πυθίη οὐκ ἔφη χρήσειν said she would not answer, Hdt.; ἐὰν μὴ φῆι if he say no, Ar.; φάθι ἢ μή say yes or no, Plat.
