πορθμός

English (LSJ)

ὁ, (πείρω, πόρος)

   A ferry or place crossed by a ferry, strait, narrow sea, π. Ἰθάκης τε Σάμοιό τε Od.4.671; of the straits of Salamis, Hdt.8.76,91; πορθμὸν ἀμείφας Ἕλλας, i.e. the Hellespont, A.Pers.68(lyr.), cf.722,799; π. Σαρωνικός Id.Ag.307; ὁ ἐς Ἀΐδα πορθμός the Styx, E.Hec.1106(lyr.); ὁ π. ὁ περὶ τὴν Σκύλλαν, i.e. the straits of Messina, Pl.Ep.345e, cf. Arist. Mir.834b3, Vent.973b1: hence prov., π. Σικελίας a 'slough of despond', Lib.Ep.221.1.    b generally, the sea, Pi.I.4(3).57.    2 any narrow passage, tube, as of the κλεφύδρα 1, Emp.100.10, 17.    II crossing by a ferry, passage, S.Tr. 571, E.Hel.532(both pl.); χωρεῖ ὁ π. Macho ap.Ath.8.341c; π. χθονός a passage to it, E.Cyc.108; οὐ πᾶσι π. αὑτὸς Ἀργείοισιν ἦν; Id.Hel.127; τηρήσαντες τὸν π. watching for the opportunity to cross, Th.6.2.