ASPIRATION
[*] 124. A smooth stop (
π, τ, κ), brought before the rough breathing by elision, crasis, or in forming compounds, is made rough, becoming an aspirate (
φ, θ, χ). Cp. 16 a.
ἀφ᾽ οὗ for
ἀπ（
ὸ)
οὗ, νύχθ᾽ ὅλην for
νύκτ（
α)
ὅλην (
82);
θἄ_τερον the other (
69),
θοἰμάτιον for
τὸ ἱ_μάτιον the cloak (
66);
μεθί_ημι let go for
μετ（
ά)
ἵ_ημι, αὐθά_δης selfwilled from
αὐτός self and
ἁδεῖν please.
a. A medial rough breathing, passing over
ρ, roughens a preceding smooth stop:
φρουρός watchman from
προ-ὁρος, φροῦδος gone from
πρό and
ὁδός, τέθριππον four-horse chariot (
τετρ ¨ ἵππος).
[*] 124 D. New Ionic generally leaves
π, τ, κ before the rough breathing:
ἀπ᾽ οὗ, μετίημι, τοὔτερον. But in compounds (9 D.)
φ, θ, χ may appear:
μέθοδος method (
μετά after +
ὁδός way).
[*] 125. Two rough stops beginning successive syllables of the same word are avoided in Greek. A rough stop is changed into a smooth stop when the following syllable contains a rough stop.
a. In reduplication (
441) initial
φ, θ, χ are changed to
π, τ, κ. Thus,
πέφευγα for
φε-φευ-γα perfect of
φεύγω flee,
τί-θη-μι place for
θι-θη-μι, κέ-χη-να for
χε-χη-να perf. of
χάσκω gape.
b. In the first aorist passive imperative
-θι becomes
-τι after
-θη-, as in
λύ-θη-τι for
λυ-θη-θι; elsewhere
-θι is retained (
γνῶθι).
c. In the aorist passive,
θε- and
θυ- are changed to
τε- and
τυ- in
ἐ-τέ-θην was placed (
τίθημι) and
ἐ-τύ-θην was sacrificed (
θύ_ω).
d. From the same objection to a succession of rough stops are due
ἀμπέχω ἀμπίσχω clothe for
ἀμφ-, ἐκε-χειρία_ truce for
ἐχε-χειρια_ (from
ἔχω and
χείρ).
e. The rough breathing, as an aspirate (16 a), often disappeared when either of the two following syllables contains
φ, θ, or
χ. ἔχω have stands for
ἔχω ῀ σεχω (
119, cp.
ἔ-σχον), the rough changing to the smooth breathing before a rough stop. The rough breathing reappears in the future
ἕξω. Cp.
ἴσχω restrain for
ἱσχω from
σι-σχ-ω, ἔδεθλον foundation, but
ἕδος seat, Lat.
sedes.
f. In
θρίξ hair, gen. sing.
τριχ-ός for
θριχος, dat. pl.
θριξί; ταχύς swift, comparative
ταχί_ων (rare) or
θά_ττων (
θά_σσων) from
θαχι_ων (
112).
g. In
ταφ- (
τάφος tomb), pres.
θάπ-τ-ω bury, fut.
θάψω, perf.
τέθαμ-μαι (
85);
τρέφω nourish, fut.
θρέψω, perf.
τέ-θραμ-μαι; τρέχω run, fut.
θρέξομαι; τρυφ- (
τρυφή delicacy), pres.
θρύπτω enfeeble, fut.
θρύψω; τύ_φω smoke, perf.
τέ-θυ_μ-μαι.
N.—The two rough stops remain unchanged in the aorist passive
ἐθρέφθην was nourished,
ἐθρύφθην was enfeebled,
ἐφάνθην was shown forth,
ὠρθώθην was set upright,
ἐθέλχθην was charmed,
ἐκαθάρθην was purified; in the perfect inf.
πεφάνθαι, κεκαθάρθαι, τεθάφθαι; in the imperatives
γράφηθι be written,
στράφηθι turn about,
φάθι say.
[*] 126.
Transfer of Aspiration.—Aspiration may be transferred to a following syllable:
πάσχω for
παθ-σκω (cp.
98).
[*] 126 D. Hdt. has
ἐνθαῦτα there (
ἐνταῦθα),
ἐνθεῦτεν thence (
ἐντεῦθεν),
κιθών tunic (
χιτών).
[*] 127. Some roots show variation between a final smooth and a rough stop;
δέχομαι receive,
δωροδόκος bribe-taker; ἀλείφω anoint,
λίπος fat; πλέκω weave,
πλοχυός braid of hair; and in the perfect, as
ἦχα from
ἄγω lead.
[*] 127 D. Hom. and Hdt. have
αὖτις again (
αὖθις),
οὐκί not (
οὐχί). All the dialects except Attic have
δέκομαι.
Part I: Letters, Sounds, Syllables, Accent
Part II: Inflection
