σαρδάνιον

English (Autenrieth)

neut. adj. as adv., sardonically, of a bitter, sarcastic smile, Od. 20.302†.

Frisk Etymological English

Grammatical information: n.
Meaning: μειδιᾶν, γελᾶν; σαρδάνιος γέλως to laugh bitterly, sneeringly, to laugh; sneering laughter (υ 292, Pl., Plh. etc.); v. l. and late also -όνιον, -όνιος (-ώ-) after Σαρδόνιος Sardinian; σαρδάζων μετὰ πικρίας γελῶν Phot., Suid.
Origin: XX [etym. unknown]
Etymology: Origin debated. By the ancients partly connected with σέσηρα (thus still Bechtel Lex. s. v. with morpholog. argumentation), partly with a plant growing in Sardinia (σάρδ-ιον, -άνη, -όνιον), of which the use produced a spasmodic laughing. Further Kretschmer Glotta 34, 1ff. with new hypothesis: to the peaple's name Šardana (neighbours of Egypt) referring to σαρδανάφαλλος γελωτοποίος H.; in detail unclear. To be rejected Zupitza BB 25, 96: to Welsh chwarddu laugh.