ἀσκάνδης
ἀμήχανον δὲ παντὸς ἀνδρὸς ἐκμαθεῖν ψυχήν τε καὶ φρόνημα καὶ γνώμην, πρὶν ἂν ἀρχαῖς τε καὶ νόμοισιν ἐντριβὴς φανῇ → hard it is to learn the mind of any mortal or the heart, 'till he be tried in chief authority | it is impossible to know fully any man's character, will, or judgment, until he has been proved by the test of rule and law-giving
Greek (Liddell-Scott)
ἀσκάνδης: ὁ, = «ἄγγελος» Ἡσύχ.· ὁ κῶδιξ ἔχει ἀσκανδής.
Frisk Etymological English
Grammatical information: m.
Meaning: messenger, = ἄγγελος, ἡμεροδρόμος (Plu.)
Other forms: Also ἀσγάνδης, ἀστάνδης.
Origin: LW [a loanword which is (probably) not of Pre-Greek origin] Iran.
Etymology: An Iranian word, cf. buddh. Sogdian zɣ'nt, 'st'nyk messenger, also Bab. ašgandu. Happ, Glotta 40 (1962) 198ff.; Schmid, Glotta 40, 321. Cf. Arm. astandel waner.