βαλιός

Ancient Greek

Etymology

The formation is similar to πολιός (poliós, grey) and other colour adjectives. Since *b- is rare in Proto-Indo-European, it has been considered a loanword from another language, perhaps Thracian, Phrygian and Illyrian. If so, the genuinely Greek cognate would have to be φαλιός (phaliós, with a white spot). Pokorny posits Proto-Indo-European *bʰel- (shiny, white). Also Comparing Albanian ballë (horse with a white spot on its forehead), close to Proto-Albanian *balā, or from it.

Pronunciation

 

Adjective

βᾰλῐός • (baliós) m (feminine βᾰλῐᾱ́, neuter βᾰλῐόν); first/second declension

  1. spotted, dappled, mottled
    Synonyms: ποικῐ́λος (poikílos), ῥᾰντός (rhantós)
  2. swift, rapid, fast

Inflection

Derived terms

  • Βᾰλῐ́ος (Balíos)

Further reading

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