- μασχάλη
- μασχάληGrammatical information: f.Meaning: `armpit' (h. Merc. ; Zumbach Neuerungen 11), metaph. `axil, branch' (Thphr., Strömberg Theophrastea 47), `bend of the coast' (Str.) etc.Compounds: Compp., e.g. ἀμφι-μάσχαλος `with two arm-holes' (χιτών, com.).Derivatives: μασχαλίς f. `axil' (Thphr.), μασχάλι(ν)ον, -εον (-έον cod.) f. `basket from palmtwigs' (H., sch.), -ιαῖος `belonging to the armpit' (inscr., medic.); μασχαλιστήρ `girdle in the arm-pits' (Hdt., A.; like βραχιονιστήρ a.o., Chantraine Form. 328), formally from the denominativ μασχαλίζομαι, prob. prop. "be girded in the arm-pits", euphemistical (ironical) expression for `mutilate', when acc. to antique informants the extremities including nose and ears were cut off and fastened to a string running through the arm-pits; from there μασχαλισμός `mutilation', μασχαλίσματα pl. `cut off extremities' (A., S., Lex.; cf. Nilsson Gr. Rel. 1, 99 w. n. 2). The correctness of this old interpretation is doubted a. o. by Boehm P.-W. 14, 2060ff.Origin: PG [a word of Pre-Greek origin]Etymology: On the formation cf. esp. ἀγκάλη `bent arm'; further unclear. Wrong Prellwitz BB 26, 309 and Wb. s. v. (s. Bq), H. Lewy KZ 59, 185ff. (Semitic; cf. Kretschmer Glotta 22, 262). - No doubt a Pre-Greek word. -- Cf. μάλη.Page in Frisk: 2,183-184
Greek-English etymological dictionary (Ελληνικά-Αγγλικά ετυμολογική λεξικό). Robert S.P.. 2010.