ἄν: Difference between revisions

{{Autenrieth

|auten=(1): modal adv., indicating a [[condition]]; [[essentially]] equivalent to [[κέν]], and of [[less]] [[frequent]] [[occurrence]]. The [[use]] of ἄν is [[less]] [[exactly]] defined in [[Homer]] [[than]] in Attic Greek; [[besides]] the [[regular]] usages in Attic (viz. in conclusions expressed by the [[secondary]] tenses of the ind., and by the opt., or by the inf. representing these, and joined to εἰ or [[relative]] words, [[ἐάν]], [[ὅταν]], etc., in conditional clauses [[that]] [[take]] the subjunctive), [[Homer]] employs ἄν [[with]] the subj. in [[independent]] sentences, and κέ ([[rarely]] ἄν) [[with]] the fut. indicative. In [[final]] clauses the [[use]] of ἄν or κέ prevails, and is [[not]] [[uncommon]] [[even]] [[with]] the opt. in conditions. On the [[other]] [[hand]] the potential opt. occurs [[without]] ἄν (κέ) oftener [[than]] in Attic. The [[following]] examples [[will]] [[illustrate]] the [[most]] [[important]] of these peculiarities of [[usage]]:—(1) ἄν w. subj. in [[independent]] [[sentence]], [[οὐκ]] ἄν [[τοι]] χραίσμῃ [[κίθαρις]], ‘[[perchance]] the [[harp]] [[may]] [[avail]] thee [[not]],’ Il. 3.54, cf. Il. 1.205.— (2) ἄν w. fut. ind., αὐτὸν δ' ἂν πύματόν με κύνες.. ἐρύουσι, [[ἐπεί]] κε<&lt;><&gt;> [[τις]] κτλ., ‘me [[like]] [[enough]] [[last]] of [[all]] [[will]] dogs [[drag]] [[about]], [[after]] I am [[slain]],” etc., Il. 22.66.—(3) ἄν w. opt. in [[final]] [[clause]], σὺ δέ με προΐεις.. ὄφρ' ἂν [[ἑλοίμην]] δῶρα, Od. 24.334.—(4) ἄν w. opt. in [[condition]], στεῦτο γὰρ εὐχόμενος νῖκήσεμεν, [[εἴπερ]] ἂν αὐταὶ &#124; Μοῦσαι ἀείδοιεν, Il. 2.597.

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