ἀπαρχή

English (LSJ)

ἡ, mostly in pl. ἀπαρχαί (cf. ἄπαργμα):    1 beginning of a sacrifice, primal offering (of hairs cut from the forehead), ἀπαρχαὶ κόμης E.Or.96, cf. Ph.1525 (lyr.); later, a banquet held on this occasion, Plu.2.40b.    2 firstlings for sacrifice or offering, first-fruits, ἁπάντων ἀπαρχαί Hdt.4.71; ἀπαρχὰς ἄγειν θεοῖσι S.Tr.183; ἀπαρχὰς θύειν E.Fr.516; ἀ. σκυλευμάτων Ph.857; ἐπιφέρειν ἀ. τῶν ὡραίων Th. 3.58; τῶν ὄντων Is.5.42, cf. Epicur.Fr.130, etc.:—so also in sg., λείας ἀ. S.Tr.761; ἀ. τῶν πατρων χρημάτων Hdt.1.92, etc.; ἀνθρώπων ἀ. εἰς Δελφοὺς ἀποστέλλειν Arist.Fr.485; ἀ. ἀπό τινος ἀνατιθέναι Hdt. 4.88; inscribed on votive offerings, [ἀνέθηκεν] . . τόδ' α. IG1.382, etc.; freq. in LXX, as Ex.25.2, al., cf. Ep.Rom.11.16, and metaph., ἀ. τῶν κεκοιμημένων 1 Ep.Cor.15.20; τῶν κτισμάτων Ep.Jac.1.18.    3 metaph., ἀπαρχαὶ τῶν ἐμῶν προσφθεγμάτων E.Ion402; ἀπαρχὴν τῆς σοφίας ἀνέθεσαν Pl.Prt.343b, etc.; ἀ. ἀπὸ φιλοσοφίας Plu.2.172c.    4 tax on inheritances, PTaur.1.7.10; tax paid by Jews, Stud.Pal.4.72 (i A. D.).    5 entrance fee, PTeb.316.10 (i A.D.), al.    6 board of officials (cf. sq.), IG12(8).273 (Thasos).    7 birth-certificate of a free person, PTeb.316.10 (i A. D.), PGnom.131 (ii A. D.): perh. metaph. in Ep.Rom.8.23.