ἀχανής
ἢ λέγε τι σιγῆς κρεῖττον ἢ σιγὴν ἔχε → either say something better than silence or keep silence (Menander)
English (LSJ)
ές, (χάσκω, χανεῖν)
A not opening the mouth, of one mute with astonishment, Hegesipp.Com.1.25, Plb.7.17.5, Luc.Icar.23, Alciphr. 3.20; also δι' ἀχανοῦς through a narrow opening, Thphr.Vent.29. II yawning, κρημνός Timae. 28; χάσμα AP9.423 (Bianor), J.AJ7.10.2; without a lid, Hero Aut.28.4; wide-mouthed, τεῦχος Diocl. ap. Orib. 5.4.2, cf. Antyll.ib.44.8.12; open, ἀ. καὶ ἀνώροφος νεώς D.C.37.17; open, unoccupied, of building land, POxy.1702.3 (iii A. D.); χάσμα Parm.1.18; σκότος LXX Wi.19.17, cf. Lyr.Anon.in PFay.2ii20; τὸ ἀχανές the yawning gulf, Arist.Mete.367a19; ἡ ἀ. χώρα Ph.1.7; ἀχανές· τὸ μὴ ἔχον στέγην . . ἐπὶ τοῦ λαβυρίνθου, S.Fr.1030; ὄψει πάντα ἀχανῆ PMag.Par.1.1107. 2 generally, vast, immense, στράτευμα Plu. 2.866b; πέλαγος Id.Cic.6, Jul.Or.4.142c.
