I.Particle, used to shew that the word or clause with which it stands answers to a following word or clause, which is introduced by δέ. Generally, μέν and δέ may be rendered on the one hand, on the other hand, or as well . . , as, while or whereas, but it is often necessary to leave μέν untranslated.
2.μέν is not always answered by δέ, but by other equiv. Particles, as ἀλλά, ἀτάρ or αὐτάρ, αὖ, αὖθις, αὖτε; also πρῶτον μέν, εἶτα Soph.; πρῶτον μέν, ἔπειτα id=Soph.; πρῶτον μέν, μετὰ τοῦτο Xen.
3.the answering clause with δέ is sometimes left to be supplied, ὡς μὲν λέγουσι as indeed they say, (but as I believe not), Eur.; this isolated μέν is often a Pron., ἐγὼ μὲν οὐκ οἶδα I for my part, (whatever others may say), Xen.; οὗτος μέν Plat.
4.μέν was orig. the same as μήν, and like it is used in protestations, καί μοι ὄμοσσον, ἦ μέν μοι ἀρήξειν and swear to me, that surely thou wilt assist me, Il.
4.μὲν οὖν or μενοῦν, a strengthd. form of οὖν, so then, id=Soph.; in replies, it affirms strongly, πάνυ μὲν οὖν Plat., etc.; also it corrects a statement, nay rather, like Lat. imo, imo vero, μου πρὸς τὴν κεφαλὴν ἀποψῶ wipe your nose on my head, Answ. ἐμοῦ μὲν οὖν . . , nay on mine, Ar., etc.; μὲν οὖν δή Soph.:—so in NTest., μενοῦνγε, to begin a sentence, yea rather, Lat. quin imo.
a.conjunctive, yet, but however, nevertheless, tamen, vero, Aesch., etc.
