σελίς: Difference between revisions

{{etym

|etymtx=-ίδος<br />Grammatical information: f.<br />Meaning: <b class="b2">crossbeam of a building, of a ship, cross-piece, transverse wall, transverse row of benches or seats in the theatre, cross stripe or column in a papyrus-roll</b> (Att. inscr., hell. a. late inscr. a. pap., LXX, Plb., AP a. o.).<br />Other forms: often im plur. <b class="b3">-ίδες</b>.<br />Compounds: As 2. member (with transition in the <b class="b3">ο-</b>decl.) <b class="b3">ἐΰ-(σ)σελμος</b> (<b class="b3">εὔ-</b>) <b class="b2">with beautiful σέλματα</b> (ep. poet. Il.).<br />Derivatives: Dimin. <b class="b3">σελίδ-ιον</b> n. <b class="b2">papyrus column</b> (Ptol., Vett. Val. a.o.); enlarged <b class="b3">-ωμα</b> n. <b class="b2">broad plank</b> (sch.). -- Besides <b class="b3">σέλμα</b>, often in plur. <b class="b3">-ατα</b> n. <b class="b2">deck-, rowing plank, rowing bench, deck, scaffolds</b> (h. Bacch., Archil., trag., Str.), metaph. of the seat of the gods (A. Ag. 183 [lyr.]); -- From H.: <b class="b3">σελμίς</b> ... <b class="b3">καὶ τὰ ἴκρια</b> and <b class="b3">σελμῶν σανίδων</b>.<br />Origin: PG [a word of Pre-Greek origin]X [probably]<br />Etymology: For <b class="b3">σελίς</b>, formed like <b class="b3">σανίς</b>, <b class="b3">δοκίς</b> etc., both nominal and verbal basis can be considered; <b class="b3">σέλμα</b> belongs to the frequent primary nouns in <b class="b3">-μα</b> (<b class="b3">δέρμα</b>, <b class="b3">βῆμα</b> etc.). If correctly handed down, <b class="b3">σελμίς</b> H. is a cross; <b class="b3">σελμῶν</b> as if from <b class="b3">*σελμός</b>. -- Without convincing etymology. Since J. Schmidt Voc. 2, 78 compared with a Germ. word for [[beam]], esp. [[girder]], a. o. OHG [[swelli]] n. (also = [[Schwelle]]), PGm.. <b class="b2">*su̯ali̯a-</b>, ONord. OE [[syll]] f., PGm. prob. <b class="b2">*suli̯ō-</b>; we find there the same phonetic problem as in <b class="b3">σέλας</b> (s. v.). Beside it, in suffix agreeing with <b class="b3">σέλμα</b>, OE [[selma]], [[sealma]], OS [[selmo]] m. <b class="b2">basis of a bed</b>, which can phonetically be combined with <b class="b3">ἕλματα</b> ... <b class="b3">σανιδώματα</b> H.. -- Farreaching, partly quite doubtful or rejectable combinations (esp. after Person Beitr. 1, 379ff.) in Bq and WP. 2, 503f., Pok. 898 f. -- In judging the etymology of <b class="b3">σελίς</b> it seems that the idea of transverse is essential (<b class="b3">σέλμα</b> is in this respect unclear), while for the Germ. words the idea of a girder is most important. It is doubtful, then, whether for the Greek a. Germ. words a common notion [[beam]] may be assumed. ̊̊ Does <b class="b3">σέλμα</b>\/<b class="b3">ἕλμα</b> point toa Pre-Greek word?

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