νέμω Ancient Greek · revision 15526

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=Homer, Iliad|origins=ine-pro *nem-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (5th-century BC Attic): /né.mɔː/^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (4th-century AD Koine): /ˈne.mo/^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (10th-century Byzantine): /ˈne.mo/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''νέμω''' (némō) ^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|grk-pro|*némō]], [[inh|ine-pro|*ném-e-ti|t=to assign, allot; take]].^(Wiktionary)^(LIV 2001) The LIV classes it as a full-grade thematic present of [[m|ine-pro|*nem-|t=to allocate]].^(LIV 2001) Cognate with [[got|𐌽𐌹𐌼𐌰𐌽|tr=niman|t=to take]], [[de|nehmen|t=to take]] and [[lv|ņemt|t=to take]].^(LIV 2001)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ The whole Greek system of forms, including [[m|grc|νομή|tr=nomḗ|t=pasture]], [[m|grc|νόμος|tr=nómos|t=custom, law]] and [[m|grc|νομός|tr=nomós|t=pasture]] with their /o/, is built on the present νέμω.^(Frisk 1960) Benveniste stressed that the verb implies a regular, lawful allotment, “to share out legally”, which links its many senses.^(Frisk 1960)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ In Homer it is to give out portions of meat and drink at a meal and to assign something as one's lot;^(Cunliffe 1924) Zeus himself “deals out happiness” (''Odyssey'' 6.188).^(Cunliffe 1924)^(LSJ 1940) The middle is to hold, occupy and enjoy land, and to graze, of cattle and herdsmen.^(Cunliffe 1924)^(CGL 2021)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Classical Greek kept both lines: to distribute and dispense (portions, justice, honours), and in the middle to occupy, inhabit and enjoy land or revenues, as Thucydides says of mines and trading posts.^(CGL 2021)^(Πάπυρος) Gods and rulers were said to “hold” a city or a people, and the verb came to mean to manage, govern and direct.^(CGL 2021) With herdsmen it is to put animals to pasture, and Herodotus uses the middle figuratively of ulcers that spread.^(CGL 2021)

+

+ Its derivatives include [[νομή|tr=nomḗ]] “pasture, distribution”, [[νομός|tr=nomós]] “pasture, residence, province” and [[νομάς|tr=nomás]] “roaming the pasture”, whose plural named pastoral peoples, nomads.^(Beekes 2010) [[νόμος|tr=nómos]] and [[νέμεσις|tr=némesis]] belong to the same family.^(Wiktionary)^(Frisk 1960) In the New Testament only the middle occurs, of animals grazing.^(BDAG 2000) Medieval Greek used it for to distribute, to enjoy and to dwell.^(Kriaras)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * Homer – The ''Iliad'' and the ''Odyssey'' use it for dealing out portions and for grazing.^(Cunliffe 1924)^(LSJ 1940)

+ * 5th century BC – Herodotus uses the middle of a spreading ulcer.^(CGL 2021)^(DGE)

+ * 5th century BC – Thucydides uses the middle for exploiting mines and markets.^(Πάπυρος)^(DGE)

+ * 5th century BC – Aeschylus and Pindar use it for gods who hold a land.^(CGL 2021)^(DGE)

+ * Early Christian – The ''Shepherd of Hermas'' uses the middle for cattle grazing.^(BDAG 2000)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To deal out, [[m|en|distribute]], dispense; to assign.^(LSJ 1940)^(CGL 2021)

+ # ''(middle)'' To hold, occupy, [[m|en|inhabit]]; to enjoy (land, revenues).^(CGL 2021)

+ # To manage, rule, govern; to direct.^(CGL 2021)

+ # To put (animals) to [[m|en|pasture]]; to graze (land).^(CGL 2021)

+ # ''(middle)'' Of animals, to graze, feed on; of fire, to consume.^(CGL 2021)

+ # ''(middle, figurative)'' Of an ulcer, to spread.^(CGL 2021)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[ἀμφινέμομαι|tr=amphinémomai]]

+ * [[κληρονόμος|tr=klēronómos]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[νέμεσις|tr=némesis]]

+ * [[Νέμεσις|tr=Némesis]]

+ * [[νέμησις|tr=némēsis]]

+ * [[νέμος|tr=némos]]

+ * [[νομεύς|tr=nomeús]]

+ * [[νομή|tr=nomḗ]]

+ * [[νομός|tr=nomós]]

+ * [[νόμος|tr=nómos]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}