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[577] πέλεθρα. This word is referred by Lobeck, Elem. 1. 245, to root “πλα”, as in “πίμ-πλη-μι”, and rendered, ‘spatium expletum, dimensum atque descriptum,’ which suits well with “ἀπέλεθρον” (“ὃ οὐκ ἔστι μετρῆσαι”), and “ἄπλετον”, ‘quod mensuram excedit.’ As a measure of length the “π[ε]λέθρον” was reckoned to be 100 feet (Greek); as measure of an area, 10,000 square feet; but this is a later limitation. Curtius (p. 250) quotes from Hultsch (Metrologie, 31), who connects “πλέθρον” with “πελ” (“πολεύω”), and understands by it a certain length of ploughing-furrow, like Lat. ‘vorsus.’ As a mere translation we might render ‘roods.’

Homer's Odyssey. W. Walter Merry. James Riddell. D. B. Monro. Oxford. Clarendon Press. 1886-1901.

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