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887. Nouns beginning with α^, ε, ο lengthen these vowels (α^ and ε to η, ο to ω) unless they are long by position. στρατ-ηγός army-leading, general (στρατός, ἄγω), εὐ-ήνεμος with fair wind (εὖ well, ἄνεμος), ξεν-ηλασία_ driving out of foreigners (ξένος, ἐλαύνω), ἀν-ώνυμος nameless (ἀν-, ὄνομα), ἀν-ώμαλος uneven (ἀν-, ὁμαλός).

a. Some compounds of ἄγω lead show α_: λοχ-α_γός captain (λόχος company).

b. By analogy to the compound the simple form sometimes assumes a long vowel: ἠνεμόεσσα windy. Cp. 28 D.

c. Lengthening rarely occurs when a preposition or πᾶς precedes: συν-ωμοσία_ conspiracy (ὄμνυ_μι swear), παν-ήγυρις general assembly (ἄγυρις ῀ ἀγορά_).

d. The lengthening in 887 is properly the result of early contraction (στρατο ¨ αγος). On the pattern of such contracted forms irrational lengthening occurs when the first part of the compound ends in a consonant, as δυσ-ηλεγής (for δυσ-αλεγής) cruel from ἀλέγω care for.

American Book Company, 1920.

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