- Εἰραφιώτης
- Εἰραφιώτης, -ουGrammatical information: m.Meaning: surname of Dionysos (h. Hom. 1, 2; 17; 20). Έρραφεώτης (Alk. 90)Other forms: Έρραφεώτης (Alk. 90)Derivatives: Month name Εἰραφιών (Amorgos IIIa).Origin: PG [a word of Pre-Greek origin]Etymology: Formation in -ιώτης (Chantr. Form. 311) from *εἴραφος, *εἰράφιον; cf. ἔλαφος, -ιον and other animals names; so perhaps from the animals shape of the god. As Dionysos mostly appears as bull, one thinks of Skt. r̥ṣabhá- `bull', with -bha- derived from ἄρσην `male' (cf. Av. OP. aršan- `id.'). From a form like ἔρσην (s.v.) with loss of the σ and lengthening as in Lac. εἰρήν `youngster' (s. v.; explanation uncertain), κεῖραι etc. (on the phonetics Lejeune Traité de phonetique 107f.). Connection with ἔριφος `young he-goat' (s. v.; Wilamowitz Glaube 2, 67 n. 1) is possible but phonetically difficult. - Ditt. Bechtel Dial. 1, 128f.: to εἶρος, *εἰράφιον `flock'; against Solmsen IF 7, 47 n. 1. - See Fraenkel Nom. ag. 2, 208 n. 2, and Redard Les noms grecs en -της 9 and 13. Prob. a Pre-Greek word.
Greek-English etymological dictionary (Ελληνικά-Αγγλικά ετυμολογική λεξικό). Robert S.P.. 2010.