στέλεχος
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
English (LSJ)
εος, τό, also ὁ Luc.VH1.8, Poll.10.166, cj. in Alciphr. 3.55:—
A crown of the root, whence the stem or trunk springs, δρυὸς ἐν στελέχει Pi.N.10.61, cf. Hdt.8.55, Arist.Ath.60.2; αἴγειρος . . δεδιχασμένη ἑνὸς ἐκ στελέχους Lyr. in Philol.80.334. 2 trunk, log, στελέχη φέρειν Ar.Lys.336 (lyr.); ἐκπρεμνίζειν στελέχη D.43.69; εἰσδυόμενος εἰς τὰ σ., of hollow trunks, Arist.HA559a10; κύων σ. ἔτεκε Hecat.15 J. 3 metaph., blockhead, Lysipp.7.
German (Pape)
[Seite 933] τό, das Stammende, unten an der Wurzel, der Stamm; δρυὸς ἐν στελέχει ἡμένους, Pind. N. 10, 61; Her. 8, 55; Klotz, Block, Ar. Lys. 336, ἐκπρεμνίζειν στελέχη, Dem. 43, 69, Sp.
