Ancient Greek

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Etymology

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Based on the stem forms κνιδ-, κνισ- (knid-, knis-), likely from a Proto-Indo-European *kneyd- (to scratch, knock), from *ken- (to scratch; scrape; rub). Cognates include Latvian knidêt (to itch, geminate, creep), Proto-Germanic *hnītaną (to push, knock), Middle Irish cned (wound). A root-final -t- is found as well, like in Lithuanian kni̇̀sti (to scratch, itch, tickle); a root-final -s- occurs in Lithuanian knisù (to grub up). Despite superficial similarities, probably not related to κνῑ́δη (knī́dē, stinging nettle), due to the latter's long vowel.[1]

Pronunciation

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Verb

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κνῐ́ζω (knĭ́zō)

  1. to scratch, gash
    Synonym: κνήθω (knḗthō)
  2. to pound, chop up or grate
  3. to tickle, titillate
    Synonym: γᾰργᾰλῐ́ζω (gărgălĭ́zō)
  4. (of feelings) to chafe, tease, provoke

Conjugation

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Derived terms

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References

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  1. ^ Beekes, Robert S. P. (2010), “κνίζω”, in Etymological Dictionary of Greek (Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series; 10), with the assistance of Lucien van Beek, Leiden, Boston: Brill, →ISBN, page 724

Further reading

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