ἐξ ὀνύχων λέοντα τεκμαίρεσθαι → judge by the claws, judge by a slight but characteristic mark, small traits give the clue to the character of a person, deduce something from a small indication, identify a lion from its claws
dearest: use P. and V. φίλτατος (rare P.).
a beloved one: P. and V. παιδικά, τά (Euripides, Cyclops 584).
