ἔμπυρος
ἐπὶ ξυροῦ γὰρ ἀκμῆς ἔχεται ἡμῖν τὰ πρήγματα → our affairs are balanced on a razor's edge, our affairs are set upon the razor's edge
English (LSJ)
ον, (πῦρ)
A in, on or by the fire, σκεύη ἔ. implements used at the fire, opp. ἄπυρα, Pl.Lg.679a; ἡ ἔ. τέχνη the work of the forge, smith's art, Id.Prt.321e (but in E.Ph.954, the art of divining by fire, soothsaying trade (v. infr. 111)); Χειρώνακτες Ael.NA2.31. II exposed to fire or sun, burnt, scathed, νεκρός E.Ph.1186; roasted, σάρξ AP6.89 (Maec.); fiery hot, torrid, Χώρα Str.16.1.10; ἀήρ Thphr. CP1.13.5; [ἡ ὥρα] -ωτάτη ib.4; feverish, Hp.Morb.2.40 (v.l. ἐμπύρετος) ; λοιμοί LXXAm.4.2; inflammatory, of a bite, Arist.Mir. 846b16; heated, of a cautery iron, PMed.Lond.155.3.2. 2 burning, scorching, ἠέλιος AP9.24 (Leon.): metaph. of persons, fiery, Plu.Num.5. Adv. -ως, ἐρᾶν Poll.3.68. 3 lighted, λαμπάς AP 6.100 (Crin.); βωμός ib.10.7 (Arch.). III of or for a burntoffering, ὀρθοστάται E.Hel.547. 2 as Subst., ἔμπυρα (sc. ἱερά), τά, burnt sacrifices, opp. ἄπυρα, Pi.O.8.3, cf. A.Ch.485 (prob.); δι' ἐμπύρων σπονδὰς καθεῖναι to make libations at the burnt-offerings, E. IA59 (hence ἔμπυρα are improperly used for σπονδαί, S.El.405); κατάρας ἐπὶ ἐμπύρων ποιεῖσθαι swear upon the sacrifice, Plb.16.31.7, cf. App.Hisp.9; esp. of burnt-offerings as used for purposes of divination (v. supr.1), S.Ant.1005; εἰς ἔμπυρ' ἦλθε E.IT16; also ἐμπύρους ἀκμάς Id.Ph.1255; ἔμπυρα σήματ' ἰδέσθαι A.R.1.145: rarely sg., ἔμπυρον, τό, PMag.Osl.1.69, dub. sens. in PCair.Zen.14.17.
