μάχαιρα: Difference between revisions

|Definition=[μᾰ], ας (later -ης, dat. -ῃ, ''PTeb.''16.14 (ii B. C.), ''Ev.Luc.''21.24, etc.), ἡ,<br><span class="bld">A</span> [[large knife]] or [[dirk]], Il.11.844, 18.597, 19.252; μ. ἥ οἱ πὰρ ξίφεος μέγα κουλεὸν αἰὲν ἄωρτο 3.271; [[carving-knife]], Pi.''O.'' 1.49, [[Herodotus|Hdt.]]2.61, [[Aristophanes|Ar.]]''[[The Knights|Eq.]]''489, [[Plato|Pl.]]''[[Republic|R.]]'' 353a, etc.; κοπίδες μ. E.''Cyc.''242; [[sacrificial knife]], Ar.''Pax'' 948, Pl.Com.91, ''Michel''832.52 (Samos, iv B. C.):—<b class="b3">ἡ Δελφικὴ μ.</b> a knife adapted to various purposes, Arist. ''Pol.''1252b2, cf. [[Hesychius Lexicographus|Hsch.]] [[sub verbo|s.v.]] [[Δελφικὴ μ]].; [[proverb|prov.]], of greedy persons, because Delphian sacrificers claimed a share for the knife, ''App.Prov.'' 1.94.<br><span class="bld">2</span> as a weapon, [[short sword]], [[dagger]], Pi.''N.''4.59, [[Herodotus|Hdt.]]6.75, 7.225, Lys.13.87, etc.; an assassin's weapon, Antipho 5.69; used by jugglers, Pl.''Euthd.''294e (pl.), etc.; later, [[sabre]], opp. the straight sword ([[ξίφος]]), X.''Eq.''12.11, cf. ''HG''3.3.7, ''Cyr.''1.2.13, ''Ev.Matt.''26.52, etc.; <b class="b3">οἱ ἐπὶ τῆς μ.</b>, of a bodyguard, Arr.''Epict.''1.30.7; but, <b class="b3">ἐπὶ μ. τασσόμενοι</b> possessing power of life and death ([[jus gladii)]], [[Cat.Cod. Astr]].8(4).173; <b class="b3">μ. ἱππική</b> cavalry [[sabre]], IG11(2).161 ''B''99 (Delos, iii B. C.).<br><span class="bld">3</span> <b class="b3">μ. κουρίδες</b>, [[shears]] or [[scissors]], Cratin.37; <b class="b3">κεκαρμένος μοιχὸν μιᾶ μ.</b>, i.e. with one [[blade]], [[Aristophanes|Ar.]]''[[Acharnians|Ach.]]''849, cf. Poll.2.32 (where [[διπλῇ]] is [[falsa lectio|f.l.]]), [[Hesychius Lexicographus|Hsch.]] [[sub verbo|s.v.]] [[μιᾷ μαχαίρᾳ; μ. κουρικαί]] Plu.''Dio''9.<br><span class="bld">4</span> metaph., διὰ μαχαιρῶν καὶ πυρός Zen.3.19, cf. Posidipp.1.10; μ. τοῦ πνεύματος ''Ep.Eph.''6.17, cf. [[LXX]] ''Is.''49.2.<br><span class="bld">II</span> name of a precious stone, Arist.''Mir.''847a5, Ps.-Plu.''Fluv.''10.5.<br><span class="bld">III</span> part of the liver, Ruf.''Onom.''180.