- ἅλιος
- ἅλιος -α, -ονGrammatical information: adj.Meaning: `fruitless, idle'; adv. `in vain' (Hom.)Origin: XX [etym. unknown]Etymology: The connection with ἠλίθιος, ἠλάσκω, and further to ἀλάομαι is correctly rejected by DELG; it does not explain the spiritus asper. There are no traces of Ϝ-, cf. Sommer Lautst. 98. Schwyzer 461 A. 5 points to the expression εἰς ὕδωρ γράφειν suggesting the word belongs to ἅλς. DELG supports this by remarking that the word is often used of βέλος, evoking an arrow that misses its target and falls in the sea; but why would it fall in the sea? - Old disappearing term, replaced by μάταιος. S. also Snell FS Von Mercklin 172f.Page in Frisk: 1,74
Greek-English etymological dictionary (Ελληνικά-Αγγλικά ετυμολογική λεξικό). Robert S.P.. 2010.