κρόσσαι: Difference between revisions

{{etym

|etymtx=Grammatical information: f. pl.<br />Meaning: <b class="b2">stepped copings of parapets</b> (M 258, 444), <b class="b2">courses, steps of the pyramids</b> (Hdt. 2, 125); <b class="b3">πρό-κροσσοι</b> <b class="b2">ranged in rows, ranks</b> (Ξ 35, Hdt.).<br />Compounds: <b class="b3">κροσσοί</b> m. pl. [[tassels]], [[fringe]] (Gal., Poll., H.); <b class="b3">δί-κροσσος</b> <b class="b2">double bordered</b> (Poll., EM) mit <b class="b3">δικρόσσια</b> n. pl. (Peripl. M. Rubr.).<br />Derivatives: Diminut. <b class="b3">κροσσίον</b> (Hdn.); also as plant-name (Ps.-Dsc.); also <b class="b3">κροσσωτός</b> <b class="b2">with fringes</b> (LXX, Lyc., Plu.), <b class="b2">with steps</b> (Lyc. 291?; v. l. <b class="b3">κορσ-</b>).<br />Origin: XX [etym. unknown]<br />Etymology: Technical expression of unknown origin. Since Bezzenberger BB 12, 239 and Trautmann Balt.-slav. Wb. 139 <b class="b3">κρόσσαι</b> from <b class="b3">*κροκ-ι̯αι</b> is connected with some Balto-Slavic words for [[bar]], [[rod]], [[rafters]], e.g. Lith. <b class="b2">krãkė</b> [[rod]], [[staff]] (formally = <b class="b3">κρόσσα</b>), <b class="b2">krẽklas</b> [[rafters]], Russ. <b class="b2">krókva</b> [[bar]], [[club]], [[rafters]] (old <b class="b2">u-</b>stem); MHG [[ragen]] <b class="b2">rise up, stand out</b> (Zupitza Die germ. Gutt. 122) can be explained in diff. ways. More forms in Pok. 619, Fraenkel Wb. and Vasmer Wb. s. vv. - Compared with the rare and late <b class="b3">κροσσοί κροσσωτός</b>, which seems derived from it, is attested much earlier and better. It is therefore suggested that <b class="b3">κροσσωτός</b> (and <b class="b3">δίκροσσοι</b> with <b class="b3">δικρόσσια</b>?) were formed to <b class="b3">κρόσσαι</b> (after <b class="b3">θυσανωτός</b>; cf. also <b class="b3">κνισωτός</b> : <b class="b3">κνίση</b> etc.) with transfer from architecture to tailor-work; from there again as backformation the formally difficult <b class="b3">κροσσοί</b>. Or comes the expression originally from weaving, to <b class="b3">κρόξ</b>, <b class="b3">κρόκ-η</b> <b class="b2">woof-thread</b> (s. <b class="b3">κρέκω</b>)? - Fur. 257 connects <b class="b3">κόρση</b> (?).

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