γε

Forms

γε (ge) (discourse particle)^[1] Doric and Boeotian γα (ga).^[2][3][4] It is enclitic and often elided to γ’.^[2][3]

Etymology

In Beekes's view it is inherited from Proto-Indo-European *ǵe, an emphatic particle.^[5][1] Combinations such as ἐμέγε (emége) invite comparison with the Germanic pronouns in -k, Proto-Germanic *mek (“me”), although Sommer argued that the Gothic form could have been made on the nominative “I”.^[5][6][4][1] Particles of similar use with an aspirate, such as Greek -χι (-khi), and forms like Hittite ammuk (“me”) could contain either a plain or an aspirated velar.^[5][4][6] Wiktionary notes that it is sometimes identified with the similar particle *gʰe, from which it cannot be derived regularly.^[1]

Why Doric and Boeotian have γα (ga) beside the Ionic-Attic and Lesbian form is not explained, and the same alternation is seen in κε (ke) beside Doric κα (ka).^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is frequent in the Iliad and the Odyssey and in Hesiod.^[7] Homer uses it to stress or limit the word it follows, as in οὐ δύο γε “not even two”.^[2][5]

Semantic evolution

In classical Greek it stresses the word before it, often a pronoun (ἔγωγε (égōge) “I for my part”, with the accent changed), or limits it: “at least, at any rate”.^[2][3] It is joined to particles such as ἀλλά, δή, καί, μήν, οὖν (giving γοῦν (goûn)) and τοι, and to conjunctions and relatives, where ὅς γε often takes a causal sense, “since he”.^[4][2] In dialogue it expresses assent, “yes”, alone or with μάλιστα.^[4][3]

The Septuagint has it about 170 times, mostly after other particles, as in καί γε “and also, even”.^[8] It became rare in later Greek and has disappeared from Modern Greek.^[4]

Timeline

• Homer – The Iliad and the Odyssey use it to stress or limit a word.^[2][7]
• 5th century BC – Sophocles and Euripides use it in answers to confirm or deny.^[3]
• 5th–4th century BC – Xenophon has καὶ μὴν … γε with words between the particles.^[2]
• Modern Greek – The particle has disappeared, after becoming rare in late Greek.^[4]

Meanings

Particle

1. At least, at any rate, limiting the word it follows.^[2][3][8]
2. Stressing the word it follows, often shown in translation only by emphasis; with a negative, “not even”.^[2][3]
3. Attached to personal pronouns: ἔγωγε, ἔμοιγε “I, to me, for my part”.^[2][3]
4. After conjunctions and relatives, stressing the condition or cause: πρίν γε “before at least”, ὅς γε “since he”.^[2][4]
5. In answers, confirming or denying: yes, indeed.^[3][4]
6. With other particles: καὶ μὴν … γε “and what is more”, γε μήν “nevertheless”.^[2]

Word family

• γοῦν (goûn)
• ἔγωγε (égōge)
• γάρ (gár)

Related words

• -χι (-khi)

References

1. ^ a b c d e f g Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Liddell, Henry George; Scott, Robert; Jones, Henry Stuart (1940), A Greek-English Lexicon, 9th ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Diggle, James, et al., eds. (2021), The Cambridge Greek Lexicon, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Chantraine, Pierre (2009), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue grecque: histoire des mots, new ed. with a supplement (Chroniques d'étymologie grecque 1–10), Paris: Klincksieck
5. ^ a b c d Beekes, Robert S. P. (2010), Etymological Dictionary of Greek, with the assistance of Lucien van Beek, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 10, Leiden; Boston: Brill
6. ^ a b Frisk, Hjalmar (1960–1972), Griechisches etymologisches Wörterbuch, 3 vols, Heidelberg: Carl Winter
7. ^ a b Keersmaekers, Alek (2021–2025), GLAUx: The Greek Language Automated corpus, https://github.com/alekkeersmaekers/glaux
8. ^ a b Lust, Johan; Eynikel, Erik; Hauspie, Katrin (2003), Greek-English Lexicon of the Septuagint, rev. ed., Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft