ἐλεφαίρομαι

ἐλεφαίρομαι

Grammatical information: v.

Meaning: `deceive' (Ψ 388, τ 565), also `damage, destroy' (Hes. Th. 330).

Other forms: Aor. ptc. ἐλεφηράμενος

Dialectal forms: Myc. erepairo? \/Elephairōn?\/

Origin: XX [etym. unknown]

Etymology: In H. also active forms (ἐλεφαίρειν, ἐλεφῆραι), explained with (ἐξ)απατᾶν, βλάπτειν, ἀδικεῖν. Old, rarely occurring epic expression with unstable meaning, of unclear formation und uncertain etymology. The ending -αίρω seems to point to an r-stem (*ἔλεφαρ?), but could also be suffixal. The stem recurs in PN Έλεφ-ήνωρ, but could stand for *Ελεφηρ-ήνωρ with dissimilatory shortening (Sommer Nominalkomp. 170 n.2). From Greek one compares ὀλοφώϊος `deceiving, noxious', which is itself unclear. An acceptable connection would be Lith. vìlbinti `allure, befool'. Cf. Bechtel Lex. s. v., and Schwyzer 724 w. n. 11. Goto, Kuryɫowicz Memorial Volume 1, 1995, 365-370 suggests to connect Skt. upa-valha-te `to puzzle, confuse by means of riddle' (the Skt. -h- does not agree).

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