[*] 2917.
μέντοι (postpositive) from
μέν (=
μήν,
2895) +
τοί, is an asseverative and adversative particle.
[*] 2918. Asseverative
μέντοι certainly,
surely,
of course, in truth is very common in replies, where it expresses positive, eager, or reflective assent. Often with
νὴ (
μὰ)
Δία. Thus,
ἐγώ; σὺ μέντοι I? certainly,
you Ar. Eq. 168,
τί γάρ, ἔφη, . . . μέμνησαι ἐκεῖνα . . . ; ναὶ μὰ Δία . . . μέμνημαι μέντοι τοιαῦτα ἀκούσα_ς σου well then, said he, do you recall those matters; Yes,
by Zeus,
certainly I do recall that I heard things to that effect from you X. C. 1.6.6,
ἀληθέστατα μέντοι λέγεις well,
certainly you say what is very true P. Soph. 245b.
μέντοι may strengthen asseverations or emphasize questions; as ““
οὕτω μέντοι χρὴ λέγειν”
in truth we must speak thus”
P. Th. 187b; often with demonstrative pronouns, as
ὦ τοῦτο μέντοι νὴ Δία αὐτοῖσιν πιθοῦ oh,
by Zeus do oblige them in this Ar. Aves 661.
a. Asseverative
μέντοι in combinations,
e.g.: ἀλλὰ μέντοι but surely, but in fact (in
ἀλλὰ . . . μέντοι, μέντοι refers to the preceding word).
καὶ . . . μέντοι and . . . indeed,
and . . . in fact, and . . . moreover, as ““
φιλοθηρότατος ἦν καὶ πρὸς τὰ θηρία μέντοι φιλοκινδυ_νότατος”
he was very fond of hunting and moreover exceedingly fond of danger”
X. A. 1.9.6.
ου᾽ μέντοι no indeed (also adversative:
yet not).
[*] 2919. Adversative
μέντοι however,
yet often marks a contrast or a transition; as ““
ἀφί_εμέν σε, ἐπὶ τούτῳ μέντοι”
we let you go, on this condition however”
P. A. 29c.
μέντοι γε is stronger.
μὲν . . . μέντοι is much stronger than
μὲν . . . δέ, as ““
φιλοσόφῳ μὲν ἔοικας . . . ἴσθι μέντοι ἀνόητος ὤν”
you resemble a philosopher— know however that you are a fool”
X. A. 2.1.13. On
ου᾽ μέντοι ἀλλά (
γε) see
2767.
