ἑλάνη

ἑλάνη

Grammatical information: f.

Meaning: `torch from reed, reed-bundle' (hell.);

Derivatives: also ἑλένη λαμπάς, δετή H., also `twisted basket, with the sacred apparatus for a feast of Artemis Brauronia, the so-called Έλενηφόρια (Poll.); to this ἑλένιος ἀγγεῖον χωροῦν τέταρτον H.

Origin: PG [a word of Pre-Greek origin]

Etymology: Uncertain the plant name ἑλένιον, s. Έλένη. To ἑλάνη cf. σκαπάνη, πλεκτάνη etc. (Chantr. Form. 199). (With ἑλένη cf ὠλένη, Aeol. φερενα; so prob. assimilation of ἑλάνη (s. Schwyzer 255f.). - For the meaning `reed-bundle, twisted basket' one connects ἑλάνη, -ένη with εἰλέω `turn, wind' (s. v.); the meaning `torch' would also allow this etymology (cf. δεταί `λαμπάδες, δράγματα'). But it is clearly wrong, as it is most probably a Pre-Greek word. (Not to εἵλη `heat of the sun,' (Solmsen Unt. 196).

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