φημί: Difference between revisions

|mdlsjtxt=[Root !φα, cf. φάω] [the imperf. act. should be [[ἔφην]], like the aor2, but ἔφασκον was [[generally]] used [[instead]].]<br /><b class="num">I.</b> Radical [[sense]]: to [[declare]], make [[known]]; and so, to say, [[affirm]], [[assert]], [[either]] absol., or foll. by inf. or by acc.; the inf. is often omitted, σὲ κακὸν καὶ ἀνάλκιδα φήσει (''[[sc.]]'' [[εἶναι]]) Il.; but also, Κορινθίους τί φῶμεν; [[what]] shall we say of them? Xen.:—then, [[since]] [[what]] one says [[commonly]] expresses a [[belief]] or [[opinion]], to [[think]], [[deem]], [[suppose]], Il.; φαίης κε ζάκοτόν τέ τιν' [[ἔμμεναι]] ἄφρονά τε you would say, would [[think]], he was . ., Il.; μὴ φαθὶ λεύσσειν [[think]] not that you see, Theocr.<br /><b class="num">II.</b> Special Phrases:<br /><b class="num">1.</b> [[φασί]], they say, it is said, Hom., [[attic]]; but in Prose also [[φησί]], like French on dit, Dem.; (so Lat. inquit, ait).<br /><b class="num">2.</b> [[φημί]] is [[sometimes]] joined with a synon. Verb. e.g. ἔφη λέγων, ἔφησε λέγων Hdt.; λέγει οὐδὲν φαμένη Hdt.<br /><b class="num">3.</b> in repeating dialogues, the Verb [[commonly]] goes [[before]] its [[subject]], [[ἔφην]] ἐγώ, ἔφη ὁ [[Σωκράτης]] said I, said [[Socrates]]; but the [[order]] is [[sometimes]] [[inverted]], ἐγὼ [[ἔφην]], ὁ [[Σωκράτης]] ἔφη I said, [[Socrates]] said.<br /><b class="num">III.</b> in a [[more]] [[definite]] [[sense]], like [[κατάφημι]], to say yes, [[affirm]], Hom., [[attic]]; καὶ τοὺς [[φάναι]] and they said yes, Hdt.; καί φημι [[κἀπόφημι]] Soph.; [[whereas]] οὔ φημι [[means]] to say no, [[deny]], [[refuse]], ἡ Πυθίη οὐκ ἔφη χρήσειν said she would not [[answer]], Hdt.; ἐὰν μὴ φῆι if he say no, Ar.; [[φάθι]] ἢ μή say yes or no, Plat.