Ruby's Greek Thread

[Ruby Novacna]

Words EVA sk-
There are eleven words in the manuscript, beginning with sk-:

1. skaiin (3) A/B,
   
2. skaiiodar (1) A,
   
3. skain (1) B,
   
4. skal (1) B,
   
5. skar (1) B,
   
6. skeeal (1) A,
   
7. skeekyd (1) A,
   
8. skeeody (1) B,
   
9. skeey (1) B,
   
10. skey (1) A,
    
11. sky (1) A.
    

I usually read the letter k EVA as n or m, depending on the position of its horizontal bar.
However, there are apparently no words in Ancient Greek beginning with σν, only with σμ.
Most of the words in this list can be conjugated forms of the verb σμάω – wipe or cleanse with soap or ointment; wipe, wipe clean:

• skaiin – σμῶν, masculine/neuter present participle;
  
• skain – σμῆν/ σμᾷν, present infinitive;
  
• skal – σμᾷ, 2nd/3rd present;
  
• skar – σμᾷς = σμῇς, 2nd singular present;
  
• sky – σμῇ, 2nd/3rd present..
  

The words skeey (84r.43) and skey (32v.9) can be σμέεις and σμεῖς, 2nd present of σμέω, Ionian for σμάω.


Another possibility for skeey and skey can be σμυός = σμοιός = σκυθρωπός – of sad or angry countenance, sullen; of things, gloomy, sad, melancholy; of color, sad-colored, dark and dull.


The word skeekyd (rather skekyd) on 102r2 can be σμηνηδ. for σμηνηδόν, adv. – in swarms or σμινύδ. for σμινύδος, genitive of σμινύς – two-pronged hoe or mattock.


Can we read the word skeeody on 86v3 just muo89 instead of smuo89, taking the example of σμᾰλερός = μαλερός, σμᾰράσσω = μαράσσω, σμᾰρίλη = μαρίλη, σμήνη = μήνη etc.?

In this case, several interpretations are possible:
μειότης – minimizing; minority;

• μειώτης – causing diminution;
  
• μειωτός – capable of diminution;
  
• μυώδη – mouse-like; muscular;
  
• μυωτός – either made of mouse-skin, or embroidered with figures of mice, χιτών (among the Armenians); furnished with muscles.
  

As for the word skeeal on page 99r, either it’s not Greek, or we should read it as muai, for example μῦαι, plural of μῦα = μυῖα – fly, carrion-fly, bluebottle, gall-insect, used by peasants of bees.

I don’t know, at the moment, what connection there might be between this root and the fly or the bee.