λέπω

Ancient Greek

Etymology

The primary thematic present has no direct correspondences outside Greek. There are few nominal formations resembling the Greek forms: Lithuanian lāpas (leaf) and lōpas (rag, piece), Albanian lapë (rag, leaf, peritoneum), Russian ла́поть (lápotʹ, bast shoe, bast sandal). The form λέπος (lépos) was also compared with the s-stem Latin lepōs (grace). However, Beekes concludes that the verb is not Indo-European: in fact there is hardly any exact correspondence and the semantics are not very convincing. Note the forms λεπάγιον (lepágion), λεπακινός (lepakinós), λέπασμα (lépasma), λέπυρον (lépuron), λεπύχανον (lepúkhanon), λέπρα (lépra), λώψ (lṓps) and λῶπος (lôpos), with suffixes and/or alternations of Pre-Greek appearance.

Pronunciation

 

Verb

λέπω • (lépō)

  1. to peel, bark, strip off the rind or husks
  2. (figuratively) to give a hiding to, thrash
  3. (mediopassive) to masturbate, indulge in indecent gestures
    Synonym: δέφω (déphō)

Conjugation

Derived terms

Further reading

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