πίτυρα

Frisk Etymological English

Grammatical information: n. pl.,
Meaning: husks of corn, bran, also metaph. = bran-like rash, sediment (Hp., D., Thphr.).
Other forms: rarely -ον sg.
Derivatives: πιτυρ-ίς (-ις) f. bran-coloured olive (Call.), -ίας m. bread baked of bran (Gal., Poll.), -ίτης (ἄρτος) id. (Philem. Gloss. ap. Ath., Gal.), -ώδης bran-like (Hp., Thphr.), -όομαι to suffer from pituriasis (Hp.), -ίζω to have bran on oneself (pap.) with -ισμα n. scab (Hdn. Gr.); -ίασις f. bran, scab (medic.: *-ιάω; after ψωρίασις a.o.). -- On PN Πιτυρεύς Bosshardt 119.
Origin: PG [a word of Pre-Greek origin]X [probably]
Etymology: Formation like the close λέπυρον; not certainly explained. Note the synonymous πήτεα πίτυρα, πητῖται πιτύρι<ν>οι ἄρτοι H., which is connected with πῆν, πάσσω (s. v.). With this πίτυρα because of its i cannot without force be brought together. Whether from *πύτυρον with dissimilation (cf. Schwyzer 258, Specht KZ 61, 277 ff.) to Lat. putus clean with putāre purify etc., Skt. pávate purify, a.o. of grain, with pávanam n. winnow, sieve, OHG fowen sieve, purify grain etc. (WP. 2, 13, Pok. 827)? For connection with πίτυλος (with semant. parallels) Thumb KZ 36, 180. -- Cf. πτύον. - Prob. Pre-Greek.