Δ δ delta (δέλτα) directed-trajectory pronounce: d
The letter Δ means directed-trajectory.
Webster’s defines direct as “to manage or guide; to regulate the course of;” and traject as to “transport, transmit.” A directed-trajectory is a guided transmission.
The delta (dέλτα) of a river is the triangular-shaped deposit of sediment at the mouth of a river that directs the current.
The Nile River Delta in Egypt. http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/images/pictures/earth/nileriverdelta.jpg
Arrows are an iconic symbol of direction.
The triangular arrow-tip directs the flight of a spear. Dour- (δουρ-) is a prefix meaning spear.
http://www.american-indian-art.com/arrows.html
An arrow sign. http://www.wgnflag.com/xcart/Arrow-Sign-Black.html
Tellingly, the simple Greek word de (δέ) means but, a word that redirects the current subject.
De (δέ) also implies a causal connection, as in then.
FROM A CERTAIN PLACE, TIME
Dee (δή) means at this point; at that point; now; then; literally “directed-trajectory center.”
Deethen (δῆθεν) means from that time, thenceforth.
Deetha (δηθά) means for a long time.
Deeladee (δηλᾰδή) means clearly, manifestly; yes plainly; of course.
Deepothen (δήποθεν) means from any quarter.
Deepoka (δήποκα), deepote (δήποτε), and deekote (δήκοτε) mean at some time, once, once upon a time.
Deepou (δήπου) means perhaps, doubtless, I presume, surely it is so that . . .
Deeta (δῆτα) means what then? now . . .
DIRECTED ACTION
As a suffix, -de (-δέ) denotes motion towards, as in alade (άλαδε): sea-wards.
Degmon (δέγμον) means way or road.
Dedaloi (δέδαλοι) means the front-line in a battle.
Deeris (δῆρις) means battle, contest.
Deeema (δέημα) means entreaty. Deeesis (δέησις) means entreaty, petition. Deeetikos (δεητικός) means suppliant, one who seeks divine intercession, forgiveness, etc.
Deiree (δειρή) means neck, throat; gully, glen; a flow-through channel.
Deuro (δεῦρο) means here; hither; with all verbs of motion.
Deute (δεῦτε) means come hither!
Deo (δέω) means to be bound; bind, tie, fetter. Deo (δέω) also means to be in need of; want; beg for.
TWO
In geometry, a line is defined by two points. Two points are required to determine a trajectory.
Deuteros (δεύτερος) means second, next, literally “directed-trajectory essence.”
Di- (δι-) is a prefix meaning two, literally “directed-trajectory divine-power.”
Diomeetor (δῐομήτωρ) is a Pythagorean name for two.
Dip- (διπ-) means two, twice, repeat.
Dis (δίς) means twice, doubly.
Dizo (δίζω) means to be in doubt, or “of two minds.”
Dieeko (δῐήκω) means to extend or reach from one place to another. Note that eeko (ήκω) means to have reached a point.
Dioskoroi (Δῐοσκοροι) means Dioscuri, the constellation the Twins, also known as Gemini (May-June).
Dicha (δίχᾰ) means in two, asunder.
Dichas (δῐχάς) means the half, middle.
Dioros (δίωρος) means having two boundary stones (what good is one?)
Doioi (δοιοί) means duo, two, both, twofold, double. Doiotokos (δοιοτόκος) means bearing twins. Doiazo (δοιάζω) means consider in two ways, be in two minds.
Duas (δυάς) means the number two, literally “directed-trajectory pure.”
Duo (δύο, δύω) means two.
THROUGHOUT, THROUGH: DIA-, DIE-, DIO-
Dia (διά) and the prefix dia- (δια-) mean in a line from one end to another; right through, straight through; throughout.
Die- (δῐε-) is a prefix meaning throughout, go through, pass through.
Dio- (διο-) is a prefix meaning throughout, through.
Duo (δύω) means sink, plunge in; get or go into; enter.
Diagonios (διαγώνιος) means from angle to angle, diagonal. Note that gonios (γώνιος) means angular.
Diagnosis (διάγνωσις) means the power of discernment, diagnosis, decision. Note that gnosis (γνωσις) means seeking to know, inquiry, investigation.
Diagramma (διάγραμμα) is a figure marked out by lines, a plan, geometrical figure; musical scale; map; list; diagram. Note that gramma (γραμμα) means that which is drawn.
Diaionizo (διαιωνιζω) means perpetuate, to be eternal. Note that Ionizo (Ίωνίζω) means Ionic.
Dialektikos (διαλεκτικός) means conversational, dialectic, directing a discussion by question and answer; also, common language, talk; way of speaking, accent; speech, language, discourse. Note that lektikos (λεκτικός) means good at speaking, able to speak.
Dianoeo (διανοέω) means to have in mind, to intend, to have purpose. Note that noeo (νοέω) means perceive by the mind, apprehend, think, consider, reflect.
Diarroee (διαρροή) means channel, pipe, conduit.
Diarreo (διαρρέω) means flow through, the basis for the word diarrhea.
Diait- (δῐαίτ-) is a prefix meaning rules of life, regimen, diet, customs. Diaita (δίαιτα) means way of living, mode of life.
Diaphusikeuomai (διαφῠσικεύμαι) means to study natural philosophy, study physics. Note that phusikeumai (φῠσικεύμαι) means physics (φῠσι-) + explanation (κεύμαι).
Diacheo (διαχέω) means to pour different ways, scatter, disperse, spread. Note that cheo (χέω) means pour out, let flow.
Dialusis (διάλῠσις) means separating, parting, dissolution, “dia- + loosened.”
Dieenekees (διηνεκής) means continuous, unbroken. Note that eenekees (ηνεκής) means far-stretching, continuous, without break, literally “throughout unbroken.”
Diorugee (διορῠγή) means to cut a canal; to dig through.
Diocheteia (διοχετεία) means irrigation works.
Dioureo (διουρέω) means to pass in urine, diurectic. Drechmones (δρέχμονες) means kidneys, the organ responsible for regulating urine.
Diorux (διώρυξ) means trench, conduit, canal.
FROM HEAVEN
Dios (δῖος) means heavenly, from heaven.
Dios (δῐοσ) is the first element in various compound names of plants.
Dio- (Διο-) is a prefix sometimes used in reference to the immortal God Zeus.
Zeus is “primarily the [G]od of the sky and the weather, known under a variety of names . . .”
(E.O. James. The Ancient Gods: The History and Diffusion of Religion in the Ancient Near East and the Eastern Mediterannean (New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1960) 160-70.)
Dioblees (Διοβλής) means struck by Zeus. Diobolos (Διοβολος) means of the thunderbolt.
Diogenetor (Διογενέτωρ) means giving birth to Zeus, the natal cave of Zeus.
Dan (Δάν), Deus (Δεύς), Di (Δί), Dia (Δία), Dis (Δίς), and Deen (Δήν) are other names for Zeus. Danas (δάνας) means governor. Deen (Δήν) means long-lived.
DIONYSOS: WINE
Deonus (Δεονῦς), Deunusos (Δευνῦσος), Dianusos (Διάνυσος), Dienusos (Διένυσος), Dinusos (Δίνυσος), and Dionusos (Διόνυσος, Δῐόνῦσος, Διώνῦσος) mean Dionysos, the immortal God of wine.
Recall that dia (διά-), die- (δῐε-) and dio- (διο-) are prefixes meaning throughout.
Nussa (νύσσᾰ) means starting point, ending point, turning point, point.
Nusseeitas (νυσσηἷτας) is a Pythagorean name for the number 9, a number that, in Greek literature, implies a period of waiting that culminates in the number 10.
These definitions suggest that Dionysos is the immortal God of turning points, which is consistent with the role of wine in celebrating significant events and the effect of wine on dispositions.
Dionysos depicted as a youth with long hair holding a thyrsos (pine-cone tipped staff) in one hand.
Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA Catalogue Number: Harvard 1960.347 Beazley Archive Number: 217539 Ware: Attic Red Figure Shape: Hydria-kalpis Painter: Attributed to the Class of Brussels A3099, circa 410 - 400 BCE. http://www.theoi.com/Gallery/K12.1.html
GODS AND GODDESSES
Dea (Δεά) means Goddess.
Deos (Δεός) means the Gods and Goddesses; also, fear, reverence.
Dai (δαί) is an expression of wonder or curiosity. Daidalma (δαίδαλμα) means work of art.
Daimon (Δαίμων) means God or Goddess; divine power.
Daimonion (δαιμόνιον) means divine power, Divinity.
Daimonios (δαιμόνιος) means miraculous, marvelous, a divine intervention.
Daimonao (δαιμονάω) means to be under the power of a deity.
Deeo (Δηώ) is Deo, Demeter, the immortal Earth-Goddess credited with controlling the harvest:
“The ancient Corn-Goddess and/or Earth-Mother, Demeter, with her daughter Kore, the Corn-Maiden, embodied the new harvest and was very closely associated with these agricultural operations. At Eleusis she was the giver of the corn on the Rarian plain, and while this was always her principal function, her Mysteries had a wider and deeper significance which extended far beyond the cornfields into the realms of the hereafter. But in the beginning Demeter and her worship centred in her control of the processes of vegetation, causing the corn to germinate and the fruits of the earth to spring forth. At the aumtumnal sowing of the crops in October or November (11th to 13th of the month Pyanopsion) the festival of the Thesmophoria was held in her honour, celebrated solely by women who erected bowers with couches and sat upon the ground to promote the fertility of the corn that had just been sown, and to secure their own fecundity—hence the presence of sexual symbols. The casting of pigs scared to Demeter into subterranean chasms (μέγαρα) during the course of the rites, probably represented the descent of Kore into the nether regions of Pluto, and the bringing up of the putrefied remains of those thrown in the previous year, placing them on an altar and mixing them with seed-corn to secure a good crop, was said to commemorate the swallowing up of the swineherd Eubuleus by the earth when Kore was abducted, and the engulfing of his herd in the chasm. The festival, therefore, was regarded as an annual commemoration of the Corn-maiden’s descent into the underworld.”
(E.O. James. The Ancient Gods: The History and Diffusion of Religion in the Ancient Near East and the Eastern Mediterannean (New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1960) 160-161.)
TEACH: LEARN
Dao (δάω) means to learn; to teach.
Daeesis (δάησις) means learning, understanding.
Daeira (Δάειρα) means Knowing One, an epithet of Demeter’s immortal daughter, Persephone, at Athens. Daeiritees (Δάειρίτης) means a priest of Persephone.
Daeemon (δαημων) means to be knowing, experienced in a thing; knowing best how to.
Deigma (δεῖγμα) means sample, pattern, plan, sketch, or example.
Deiksis (δεῖξις) means proof, a specimen, display, exhibit.
Didaktos (δῐδακτός) means taught; learnt, the basis for the word didactic.
Didasko (δῐδάσκω) means instruct, teach.
TO DO: “DIRECTED-TRAJECTORY FLOW”
The letters δρ-, literally “directed-trajectory outflow,” begin action words, such as:
-drama (δρᾶμα): a deed, act; action represented on the stage
-dranos (δρᾶνος): doing, deed
-drao (δράω): do, accomplish, do some great thing; offer sacrifice
-drasis (δρᾶσις): action, opposite of passivity
-drasteos (δραστέος): to be done
-dreeloi (δρηλοῖ): put to flight, flee in terror, literally “directed-trajectory outflow-of center loosened”
-dreesteuo (δρηστεύω): perform holy rites
-dreesteer (δρηστήρ): laborer, worker, “do-er”
-driaousan (δριαουσαν): sprout, grow, bloom. Note that ousia (ούσία) means the primary real, the substratum underlying all change and process in nature.
-drialein (δριαλεῖν): make, do, produce, create, invent, prepare
-dromos (δρόμος): run, runner, running
-dropis (δρόπις): gather fruits, harvest crop. Note that opis (όπις) means the care or favor of the Gods and Goddesses.
-droma (δρωμᾶ): run.
DYNAMITE
Dunamai (δύνᾰμαι) means to be able or strong enough to do something, literally “directed-trajectory pure prevailing,” the basis for the word dynamite.
Dunameros (δῠνᾰμερός) means potent (of drugs).
Dunamikos (δῠνᾰμικός) means powerful. Webster’s defines dynamic as “characterized by energy or effective action.”
Dunamis (δύνᾰμις) means powerful, power, might, influence; manifestation of divine power, a miracle.
Dunasteia (δῠναστεία) means power, domination, the exercise of political power, mighty deeds, the basis for the word dynasty.
Dunateo (δῠνᾰτέω) means strong, mighty.
LURE
A lure distracts from one’s trajectory. The following words share the notion of Λ “loosening” from a directed-trajectory.
Dele- (δελε-) is a prefix meaning entice, bait, literally “directed-trajectory loosened.”
Dolos (δόλος) means bait.
Dolo (δολόω) means to beguile, ensnare.
Doleros (δολερός) means deceitful, treacherous.
Doleuma (δόλευμα) means ruse.
Doloeis (δολόεις) means subtle, wily, crafty.
THE CHASE
Dioko (διώκω) means pursue, chase; as a law-term, prosecute.
Diktunna (Δίκτυννα), Diktynna, is an epithet of Artemis as the immortal Goddess of the chase, the hunt. Diktuon (δίκτῠον) means net, fishing-net, hunting-net.
VISION AND DIRECTION
Vision and direction are inextricably linked, as exemplified by the adage, “watch where you’re going.”
Deik- (δεικ-) is a prefix meaning show, represent, portray, prove.
Dokeuo (δοκεύω) means to train one’s eye on, watch narrowly, literally “directed-trajectory core.”
Dokee (δοκή) means vision, opinion, expectation. Dokeo (δοκέω) means to expect, think, suppose. Doksa (δόξᾱ) means expectation, opinion.
Daktul- (δακτῠλ-) is a prefix meaning finger, fingers, literally “directed-trajectory core extend/stretch.” Daktulos (δακτῠλος) means fingers. Fingers are typically used for pointing to indicate direction, as in answer to the question, “Which way did he go?”
Fingers pointing to indicate direction. http://depositphotos.com/3439703/stock-photo-Hands-pointing-to-left-and-right.html
DIKE: ALL-SEEING EYE OF JUSTICE
Dikee (Δίκη) is Dike, the all-seeing Goddess of justice, order, right; also, the object or consequences of an action; atonement, satisfaction, penalty.
The all-seeing eye at the pinnacle of the pyramid on the United States dollar bill.
Orphic Hymn 61. To Dike (Δίκης) (Justice) (3-14) proclaims that Dike has “vision unconfin’d:”
“. . . Perceiving thence, with vision unconfin’d,
The life and conduct of the human kind:
To thee, revenge and punishment belong,
Chastising ev’ry deed, unjust and wrong; . . .
For thou art ever to the good inclin’d,
And hostile to the men of evil mind . . .”
(Orpheus. The Hymns of Orpheus (circa 200 BCE), translated by Thomas Taylor, introductory preface by Manly P. Hall (London: Printed for the Author, 1792. Reprinted Los Angeles, CA: The Philosophical Research Society, 1981) 193-194.)
Dikazo (δῐκάζω) means judge, sit in judgment, decide on, determine.
Dikaios (δίκαιος) is defined in the Lexicon as observant of custom or rule, civilized, observant of duties; equal, even, well-balanced; meet and right, fitting; right, just.
Dikologeo (δῐκολογέω) means to plead causes, advocate.
Although modern images typically depict Justice as blindfolded, ancient writers describe Dike as all-seeing and even included the admonishment in jury instructions that Dike/Justice is always watching.
“You must magnify the Goddess of Order who loves what is right and preserves every city and every land; and before you cast your votes, each juryman must reflect that he is being watched by hallowed and inexorable Justice, who, as Orpheus, that prophet of our most sacred mysteries, tells us . . . oversees all the works of men.”
(Demosthenes (circa 350 BCE). Against Aristogeiton 25. 11. Demosthenes with an English translation by A. T. Murray, Ph.D., LL.D. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1939.
Aeschylus also speaks of the all-seeing eye of Justice:
“Justice (Dike), voiceless, unseen, seeth thee when thou sleepest and when thou goest forth and when thou liest down. Continually doth she attend thee . . . ”
(Aeschylus (circa 450 BCE) Fragment 253, in Stobaeus, Anthology i. 3. 98 (Wachsmuth i. 57), Theophilus, To Autolycus ii. 37.p.178, translated by Herbert Weir Smyth, Assigned to Aeschylus by Hermann.) http://www.theoi.com/Text/AeschylusFragments3.html
DELOS
Deelos (δῆλος) means visible, conspicuous, clear, manifest.
Deelios (Δήλιος, Δάλιος) means Delian, a name of the immortal God Apollo.
Deelios (Δήλιος, Δάλιος) refers to the Gods and Goddesses worshiped at Delos (Δάλος, Δελος, Δῆλος). Delos is the immortal Goddess of the Greek island where Apollo and his twin sister, Artemis, were born.
Map of Delos. http://www.hillmanwonders.com/greece/delos.htm
Below, a depiction of the Gods and Goddesses of Delos including Leto and her twin children, Apollo and Artemis, as well as Delos herself:
Leto, Artemis, Apollon and Delos/Asteria, all holding laurel branches, stand beside the sacred palm tree on the island of Delos.
Museo Nazionale, Palermo, Italy Catalogue Number: Palermo 21887 Beazley Archive Number: 220558, Attic Red Figure Krater, calyx Painter: In the Manner of the Pheidias Painter, circa 420 BCE. This is a drawing of the vase rather than a photographic representation. http://www.theoi.com/Gallery/T14.7.html
Nonnos describes the role that Delos played in the birth of Leto’s twin children, Apollo and Artemis:
“. . . Leto carried her twin burden [pregnant with Apollo and Artemis] and had to wander over the world, tormented with the pangs of childbirth; . . . until Delos gave help to her labour, until the old palmtree played midwife for Leto . . .”
(Nonnos. Dionysiaca, Vol. II, Books 16-35 (277), translated by W. H. D. Rouse, Loeb Classical Library (London: William Heinemann; Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1940) 339. http://www.amazon.com/dp/0674993918/ref=rdr_ext_tmb )
DELPHI
Delphoi (Δελφοί), also known as Belphoi (Βέλφοι), is the seat of one of the most revered “oracles” of the ancient world. Belphaion (Βελφαῖον) is the name of a treasury at Delphi.
The American city Philadelphia translates as “lovers of Delphi.”
In ancient times, governance decisions and other weighty matters were brought before the Delphic priestess who channeled and professed the will of the God or Goddess of Delphi.
Museum Collection: Antiken-sammlung, Berlin, Germany Catalogue No.: Berlin F2538 Beazley Archive No.: 217214 Ware: Attic Red Kylix, Attr. to the Codrus Painter Date: circa 430 BCE
Themis sits on the Delphic tripod in the role of Pythia, the oracular prophet of the Delphic shrine. She holds a phiale in one hand and a sprig of laurel in the other. King Aigeus of Athens approaches her to receive an oracle regarding the birth of a son.
http://www.theoi.com/Gallery/T8.1.html
Aeschylus (circa 450 BCE), in his play The Eumenides, depicts the Pythia priestess of Delphi professing that the deity channeled through Delphi was initially Gaia (Goddess Earth), who passed this responsibility on to her daughter, Themis (Justice), who passed it on to Phoibe (Pure Prophet), who gifted the role to Phoibos (Apollo). http://archive.org/stream/aeschyluswitheng02aescuoft/aeschyluswitheng02aescuoft_djvu.txt
(Aeschylus, “Eumenides (1-8),” in Aeschylus II: Agamemnon, Libation-Bearers, Eumenides, Fragments, trans. Herbert Weir Smyth, (London: William Heinemann; New York: Putnam’s Sons, 1926), 272).
The meaning of the word “Delphi” has been attributed to other words that are similar to it, such as:
-delphos (δελφος) or delphaks (δέλφαξ): pig, pork (sacred to Demeter); delphakion (δελφάκιον) means suckling-pig
-delphis (δελφίς) or delphin (δελφίν): dolphin
-delphiks (δέλφιξ): the tripod the priestess sat upon (note that φιξ means Sphinx (Σφίγξ))
-delphus (δελφύς): womb (note that φύς means beget, bring-forth, engender, form by nature).
DODONA
Dodonee (Δωδώνη) is Dodona in Epirus, the seat of the most ancient “oracle” of Zeus.
Dodone/Dodona is shown on the far west of this map of Greek temples.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dodona_location.svg
Dionee (Δῐωνη) is Dione, the immortal mother of Aphrodite (Goddess of passionate love) and, with the immortal God Zeus, the inspiration for the “oracle” at Dodona.
TORCH
A torch is a portable source of light in the darkness. It can be used as a signal, a focal point, and an aid to visibility. A torch-bearer leads a procession.
Dado- (δαδο-) is a prefix meaning torch. A dais (δαΐς) is a pine-torch. Daio (δαίω) means to light up, kindle. Daeethmon (δαηθμόν) means burning.
Torches are generally made from pine-wood, dadinos (δάδινος). Dad- (δαδ-) is a prefix meaning resin, a tree-liquid prized as incense, perfume, amber, and for its flammable properties as pine-pitch or pine-tar.
Dalos (δᾱλός) means torch, beacon-light. Daos (δάος) is another word for torch. Other words meaning torch are detis (δέτις), detos (δετός), and detee (δετή).
Dadeephoros (δαδηφόρος) means torch-bearing.
The Statue of Liberty in New York’s harbor is a famous torch-bearing icon.
http://www.inetours.com/New_York/Tours/photos/Statue-Liberty-Cruise-2.html
Dadoucheo (δᾆδουχέω) means to carry a torch, especially in pageants. Dadouchos (δᾆδουχός) means torch-bearer, usually referring to this hereditary office at the mysteries of Demeter at Eleusis. Dad- (δᾆδ-) is a prefix that means torch, literally “directed-trajectory arising directed-trajectory:” the torch-bearer lead night-time processions, directing their trajectory.
William Smith, in his Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, writes in his entry Eleusinia, “All the ancients who have occasion to mention the Eleusinian mysteries, or the mysteries, as they were sometimes called, agree that they were the holiest and most venerable of all that were celebrated in Greece.”
(William Smith. “Eleusinia,” Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities (London: John Murray, 1875.) http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/secondary/SMIGRA*/Eleusinia.html
Pausanias describes a building where preparations were made for the Eleusinian processions:
"On entering the city [of Athens] there is a building for the preparation of the processions, which are held in some cases every year, in others at longer intervals. Hard by is a temple of Demeter, with images of the [G]oddess herself and of her daughter (Persephone), and of Iacchus [leader of the Eleusinian Mysteries] holding a torch."
(Pausanias. Description of Greece 1.2.4, translated by W.H.S. Jones and H.A. Omerod (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1918). http://www.theoi.com/Text/Pausanias1A.html
The Ninnion Tablet depicts Demeter, Persephone, and Iacchus, and the procession of Eleusinian initiates. Several participants carry torches.
Discovered at the sanctuary of Eleusis. Musée Archéologique National, Athènes, Greece.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninnion_Tablet
Night-time, torch-lit Eleusinian processions were held to honor Demeter’s search for her daughter, Persephone, who was abducted by Plouton, the immortal God of the underworld.
Homer, writing circa 600 BCE in his Hymn to Demeter, as well as Diodorus of Sicily, Ovid, and Statius, writing some 600 years later, describe Demeter as holding torches while searching in the darkness for Persephone.
"Then for nine days queenly Deo wandered over the earth with flaming torches in her hands [in search of her daughter Persephone]."
(Homer (circa 650-550 BCE). Hymn 2 to Demeter 48 ff, translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White (Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann Ltd., 1914. Reprinted in English by Dodo Press dodopress.co.uk, 2011).
". . . Demeter, being unable to find her daughter, kindled torches in the craters of Mt. Aetna and visited many parts of the inhabited world, an upon the men (sic) who received her with the greatest favour she conferred benefactions, rewarding them with the gift of the fruit of the wheat."
(Diodorus Siculus (of Sicily) (circa 50 BCE). Library of History Books 5. 4. 3, translated by C.H. Oldfather (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1935) 107.)
Ovid depicts the immortal Muse Calliope singing of torch-bearing Demeter (Roman Ceres) in Metamorphoses:
“Now it befell when Proserpine (Persephone) was lost, her anxious mother sought through every land and every sea in vain. She rested not . . . She lit two pines from Aetna’s flames and held one in each hand, and restless bore them through the frosty glooms . . ."
(Ovid (circa 50 BCE-50 CE). Metamorphoses 5. 354 ff, translated by Brookes More (Boston: Cornhill, 1922) Book 5. http://www.theoi.com/Text/OvidMetamorphoses1.html
Statius describes a similar scene:
"Even so did the bereaved Ceres [Demeter] light her torch and from Aetna's rocks cast the shifting glare of the mighty flame here over Sicily, there over Ausonia (southern Italy), as she followed the traces of the dark ravisher [Plouton] . . . "
(Statius. Thebaid 12. 270 ff, translated by J.H. Mozley (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1928).)
http://www.theoi.com/Text/StatiusThebaid12.html
Demeter is depicted on ancient coins, statues, and vases as holding a torch.
The first coin depicts Ceres (Demeter) standing holding corn in one hand and a torch in the other, Augusta on the other side. The second depicts Demeter seated. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=98289
http://www.flickr.com/photos/antiquitiesproject/4861686061/in/set-72157626255561195/
Statue of Demeter on an altar © The Trustees of the British MuseumRoman, circa 150 CE. From Athens, Greece. http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/gr/s/statue_of_demeter_on_an_altar.aspx
Eleusis (Demeter, holding a cross-shaped torch) & Eniatus (Year), Apulian red-figure loutrophoros, circa 350 BCE, The J. Paul Getty Museum.
http://www.theoi.com/Georgikos/EleusiniosEleusis.html
DEMOCRACY
Deemeetreioi (Δημήτρειοι) means Demeter’s people.
Deem- (δημ-) and deemo (δημο-) are prefixes meaning the people. Deemios (δήμιος) means belonging to the people, elected by the people.
Deemokratikos (δημοκρᾰτικός) means of or for democracy.
Deemos (δῆμος) means district, country, land; also, the commons, common people; the sovereign people, the free citizens; the popular assembly.
DEMETER
Dee (δῆ) means earth. Da (δᾶ) is an oath, “by Earth!”
Deeo (Δηώ) means Demeter. Deeai (δηαί) means barley.
Ancient coins of southern Italy (circa 330 BCE) feature an image of Demeter on one side and an image of barley on the reverse.
Lucania circa 325-280 BCE. Wreathed head of Demeter left, wearing triple-pendant earring. Seven-grained Barley ear, rake above leaf META right. ex: Windsor Antiquities http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/lucania/metapontion/t.html
Gee (Γῆ) is Ge, the immortal Goddess of naturally generative Earth. Demeter is the Goddess credited with directing humanity in the cultivation of agricultural crops and the rule of law. According to Diodorus, Ge is a more ancient name for Demeter:
τήν δέ γῆν ὥσπερ αγμεῖόν τι τῶν φυομένων ύπολαμβάνοντας μητέρα προσαγορεὓσαι' καί τούς "Ελληνας δέ ταύτην παραπλησίως Δήμητραν καλεῖν, βραχύ μετατεθείσης διά τόν χρόνον τῆς λέξεως' τό γάρ παλαιόν όνομάζεσθαι γῆν μητέρα, καθάπερ καί τόν Όρφέα προσμαρτυρεἳν λέγοντα
Γῆ μήτηρ πάντων, Δημήτηρ πλουτοδότειρα.
“The earth, again, they looked upon as a kind of vessel which holds all growing things and so gave it the name ‘mother’; and in like manner the Greeks also call it Demeter, the word having been slightly changed in the course of time; for in olden time they called her Ge Meter (Earth Mother), to which Orpheus bears witness when he speaks of ‘Earth the Mother of all, Demeter giver of wealth.’”
(Diodorus Siculus (of Sicily) (circa 50 BCE). Library of History 1.12, translated by C.H. Oldfather (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1933) 42-43.)
Damatrizein (δᾱμᾱτρίζειν) means to gather in the fruits of the earth.
Damateer (Δαμάτηρ), Deemeeteer (Δημήτηρ), Deemeetra (Δημήτρα), and Domateer (Δωμάτηρ) mean Demeter. Demeter is the immortal Mother Goddess credited with directing the trajectory of Earth's fertility. While Gaia is the Goddess of Earth's natural, organic growth, Demeter is the Goddess who directs Earth's fertility and the art of agriculture.
Deemeeteer (Δημήτηρ) also means bread.
In Euripides’ The Bacchae, Teiresias says that Demeter supplies humanity with “solid food:”
“There are two powers, young man, which are supreme,
In human affairs: first, Demeter—the same [G]oddess
Is also Earth; give her which name you please—and she
Supplies mankind with solid food. After her came
Dionysus, Semele’s son; the blessing he procured
And gave to men (sic) is counterpart to that of bread:
The clear juice of the grape.”
(Euripides. “The Bacche (315-322),” The Bacchae and Other Plays, translated by Philip Vellacott (London and New York: Penguin Books: 1954, 1973) 200.)
Diodorus of Sicily credits Demeter with teaching grain cultivation to humanity, in essence, taming the growth of grains from a wild, uncultivated state.
Δήμητραν δέ, τοῦ σίτου φυομένου μέν ώς ἕτυχε μετά τῆς ἅλλης βοτάνης, άγνοουμένου δέ παρ' άνθρώροις, πρώτην συγκομίσαι καί τήν κατεργασίαν αύτοῦ καί φυλακήν έπινοῆσαι καί σπείρειν καταδεῖξαι. (Diodorus Siculus (of Sicily). Library of History 5.68.1.)
“And Demeter, since the corn still grew wild together with the other plants and was still unknown to men (sic), was the first to gather it in, to devise how to prepare and preserve it, and to instruct mankind how to sow it.”
(Diodorus Siculus (of Sicily) (circa 50 BCE). Library of History 5.68, translated by C.H. Oldfather (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1935) 281.)
Diodorus says that Demeter created the culture of laws arising from civilization:
“Now she had discovered the corn before she gave birth to her daughter Persephonê, but after the birth of her daughter and the rape [sic: abduction] of her by Pluton, she burned all the fruit of the corn, both because of her anger at Zeus and because of her grief over her daughter.
“After she had found Persephonê, however, she became reconciled with Zeus and gave Triptolemus the corn to sow, instructing him both to share the gift with men (sic) everywhere and to teach them everything concerned with the labour of sowing.
“And some men (sic) say that it was she also who introduced laws, by obedience to which men (sic) have become accustomed to deal justly with one another, and that mankind has called this [G]oddess Thesmophoros after the laws which she gave them.
“And since Demeter has been responsible for the greatest blessings to mankind, she has been accorded the most notable honours and sacrifices, and magnificent feasts and festivals as well, not only by the Greeks, but also by almost all barbarians [non-Greeks] who have partaken of this kind of food.”
(Diodorus Siculus (of Sicily) (circa 50 BCE). Library of History 5.68, translated by C.H. Oldfather (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1935) 281.)
The Homeric Hymn to Demeter, circa 650 BCE, is the oldest literary document which narrates the story of Demeter and Persephone.
(Sir James Frazer. The Golden Bough, VII Part 5, Vol. 1 (London: Macmillan and Co., 1920, reprinted by Elibron Classics series of Adamant Media, 2005) 35.)
http://books.google.com/books?id=PF4Z4H7gIs4C&pg=PA71&lpg=PA71&dq=Aristides,+Eleusinia,+vol.+i+p.+259,&source=bl&ots=vpHmDjprhM&sig=WwI3iCXNTkcxnOg5LqmwAM7vwjY&hl=en&sa=X&ei=-aCeT-XpN-WC6AHQirGcDw&ved=0CCsQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Aristides%2C%20Eleusinia%2C%20vol.%20i%20p.%20259%2C&f=false
Demeter and Metanira. Detail of the belly of an Apulian red-figure hydria, circa 340 BCE. Berlin Museum. (Metanira is the Eleusinian mother of a child cured by Demeter.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metanira
Eleusis (here spelled “Elefsis”) is northwest of Athens. http://0.tqn.com/d/gogreece/1/0/r/7/greekmap.jpg
Deeoinee (Δηωΐνη) means daughter of Demeter, literally “Demeter (Δηω) divine-power prevailing (ΐν).” Interestingly, the word dauta (δαῦτα) means herbs, vegetables, an arguable origin for the word daughter.
Persephone and Plouton enthroned. Detail from a painting of Orpheus in the Afterlife. Plouton holds a bird-tipped staff, and Persephone a crossed Eleusinian torch. http://www.theoi.com/image/K14.1Haides.jpg
Apulian red figure Volute krater, attributed to White Saccos Painter, circa 320 BCE. The J Paul Getty Museum, Malibu, California, USA, number Malibu 77.AE.13.
Demeter and Persephone, relief from Sanctuary of Demeter at Eleusis, circa 450 BCE.
http://www.randall-roberts.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/435px-NAMA_Triade_éleusinienne3.jpg
TAME
Webster’s defines tame as “changed from the wild or savage state; domesticated . . . tractable, docile, or submissive.”
One who is tamed obliges willingly to direction, becomes a medium of direction.
Interestingly, damnos (δάμνος) means horse, an animal that is of little practical use unless tamed. Damnippos (δάμνιππος) means horse- (ιππος) taming (δάμν).
Dmeeteer (δμητήρ) means tamer; meeteer (μητήρ) means mother, suggesting that it is the mother’s role to tame/direct her child.
Dmeetos (δμητός) means tamed.
Damazo (δαμάζω) means to tame, break-in animals; make subject, force, seduce, subdue, conquer. Damasis (δάμᾰσις) means taming, subduing.
Damatrion (δαμάτριον) is a flower like narcissus, a narcotic.
http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/lucania/metapontion/i.html
Damnamenee (δαμναμένη) means to overpower by force.
Damneetis (δαμνῆτις) means she that subdues.
RULER
Desis (δέσις) means binding together.
Desma (δέσμα) means bond, fetter.
Desmos (δεσμός) means band, bond, anything for tying and fastening.
Despoina (δέσποινα) means lady of the house, princess, queen, empress; an epithet of the immortal Goddesses Hecate, Artemis, and particularly Persephone.
Despoinikos (δεσποινικός) means belonging to the Imperial household.
Desposios (δεσπόσιος) means an act of authority.
Despotees (δεσπότης) means ruler, the basis for the word despot.
GIFTS
Gifts involve a giver and a receiver.
Danos (δᾱνός) means gift, present; also, loan or debt. Dan- (δᾰν-) is a prefix meaning loan. Daneion (δάνειον) means loan.
Doma (δόμα) means gift.
Dosis (δόσις) means giving, bequest, legacy, dose of medicine, portion, destiny.
Doteer (δοτήρ), doteira (δότειρα), and dotor (δώτωρ) mean giver (one who dotes?).
Dorea (δωρεά) means gift, present.
Doron (δῶρον) means gift, present, gift of honor; also, the front part of the palm (presumably, from which the gift is released or received).
Dotinee (δωτίνη) means gift, present.
DIVIDE UP; FEAST
A banquet or feast is a form of dividing up the available food.
Daio (δαίω) means both divide and feast.
Daigmos (δαϊγμός) means division, partition.
Daizo (δαΐζω) means to cleave asunder, tear, rend, divide.
Daithmos (δαιθμός) means allotment, rule of distribution.
Dainumi (δαίνῡμι) means to give a banquet or feast.
Dais (δαίς) means meal, banquet, meat, food.
Daisis (δαῖσις) means the division of property.
Daitee (δαίτη) means feast, banquet. A daitees (δαίτης) is a priest responsible for dividing up the meat from the animals sacrificed. A daitreia (δαιτρεία) is the place where the meat is cut up.
Damothoinia (δᾱμοθοινία) means a public feast.
Darata (δαράτα) is a kind of bread offered in religious ceremonies.
Dasma (δάσμα) means a share, portion given as tribute to the sovereign. Dasmos (δασμός) means a division of spoil; tribute.
Dasso (δάσσω) means divide. Dat- (δᾰτ-) is a prefix meaning divide.
Dei (δεῖ) means it is needful for one to do, one must.
Deiema (δείεμα) means that which is eaten, food, meat.
Deipneo (δειπνέω) means to make a meal, dine. Deipnon (δεῖπνον) means meal.
Deisia (δεισία) means distribution.
Detros (δετρός) means slaughterer, butcher, meat-seller.
Deeio (δηϊόω) means slay, rend, tear, cleave.
ABJECT FEAR
Fear is a great trajectory-director.
Deinos (δεινός) means fearful, awful, dangerous; also, wondrous, marvelous, strange.
Deisedaimoneo (δεισῐδαιμονέω) means to be religious, to fear the Gods and Goddesses.
Dedeia (δέδεια) means panic flight, fear, phobia.
Dediotos (δεδιότως) means in fear.
Deido (δείδω) means fearful, cowardly, fear, to be alarmed.
Deilaios (δείλαιος) means wretched, sorry, miserable.
Deilia (δειλία) means timidity, cowardice. Deilos (δειλός) means cowardly.
Deima (δεῖμα) means fear. Deimos (δειμός) means fear, terror.
BITE
An itch, bite, or sting can tend to direct one’s attention and trajectory.
Daks (δάξ) means itch or bite.
Daptees (δάπτης) means bloodsucker (of gnats).
Dapto (δάπτω) means to devour.
Deegma (δῆγμα) means bite, sting.
Deekt- (δηκτ-) is a prefix meaning bite, sting.
Deeksis (δῆξις) means bite, gnaw, pang.
Drimus (δρῑμύς) means piercing, sharp, keen, acidic, bitter.
OTHER
Hand
Dareir (δάρειρ) means the space one can embrace between the thumb and little finger; span; as a fixed measure. (Incidentally, darthano (δαρθάνω) means sleep, “span of death.”)
Deka (δέκᾰ) means ten, the number of fingers of the hands.
Depho (δέφω) means to soften by working with the hand.
Dech- (δεχ-) is a prefix meaning ten.
Dechas (δεχάς) means receptacle. Dechomai (δέχομαι) means to take, accept, receive, hold (presumably with the ten fingers).
Deksia (δεξιά) means the right hand (opposite left), the basis for the word dexterity.
Dochos (δοχός) means able to hold.
Tree, Oak, Snake
The prefix dru- (δρῦ-) means tree, oak, snake.
Druos (δρύος) means woodland.
Druas (Δρῠας) means Dryad, a nymph (divine spirit) whose life is bound up with the life of her tree.
Druas (Δρῠας) also means snake.
A druinas (δρῠΐνας) is a serpent living in hollow oaks.
Drus (δρῦς) means tree, oaks, the woods.
Doru (δόρυ) means stem, tree; plank, beam; the shaft of a spear.
Thick, Shaggy
Daskios (δάσκῐος) means thick-shaded, bushy.
Dasos (δάσος) means thicket, copse, shagginess.
Dasu- (δᾰσῠ-) is a prefix meaning thick, rough, bushy, shaggy. Dasus (δᾰσύς) means hairy, shaggy, rough, thick.
Dasullios (Δᾰσύλλιος) is an epithet of Bacchus, the immortal God of wine.
Daulos (δαυλός) means thick, shaggy.
Other Words Beginning with the Letter Δ
Dagus (δᾱγύς) means a puppet.
Daikt- (δᾰϊκτ-) is a prefix meaning to slay, murder, slay in battle.
Dalkion (δάλκιον) means writing-tablet, any writing.
Dalmanai (δαλμᾶναι) means image, likeness, representation.
Dalmates (Δαλμᾰτες) means Dalmatia, the coastline that runs parallel to Italy’s eastern coast, spanning from Croatia to Albania.
Dapedon (δάπεδον) means level surface, floor, ground. Note that pedon (πεδον) means ground, earth. Dapis (δάπις) means carpet or rug.
Dardanios (Δαρδάνιος) means Trojan; from Troy (now northwest Turkey).
Dauo (δαύω) means sleep.
Daphnee (δάφνη) means sweet bay, laurel, Laurus nobilis. Laurel wreaths crown victors in the games. The laurel is particularly associated with the immortal God Apollo.
Dapsileia (δαψίλεια) means abundance, plenty.
Deielos (δείελος) means the evening part of the day. Deilee (δείλη) means afternoon.
The prefix delt- (dέλτ-) refers to anything triangular.
Deltos (δέλτος) means writing-tablet; an official document recorded on a tablet.
Demas (δέμας) means the bodily frame, the living body, the body of a corpse.
Demo (δέμω) means to build, construct.
Dendreon (δένδρεον) means tree.
Depas (δέπας) means beaker, goblet, cup.
Derma (δέρμα) means skin, hide, the basis for the word dermatology. Derris (δέρρις) means skin, leather.
Deuma (δεῦμα) means that which is steeped, seethed, boiled. Deusopoieo (δευσοποιέω) means dye, stain. Deuteer (δευτήρ) means kettle, cauldron. Deuo (δεύω) means to wet, drench.
Depsa (δέψα) means skin, hide.
Dorpon (δόρπον) means the evening meal.
Dipsa (δίψα) means thirst.
Dnopheros (δνοφερός) means veiled, dark, murky.
Dogma (δόγμα) means opinion, belief; decision, judgment.
Domos (δόμος) and doma (δῶμα) mean house, abode, the basis for the word domicile. Domao (δωμάω) means to build, construct.
Donak- (δονᾰκ-) is a prefix meaning reeds, donaks (δόναξ).
Doulos (δοῦλος) means born a slave, literally “directed-trajectory loosened,” one without self-direction.
Dorikos (Δωρικός) means Doric, a Greek dialect that prevailed over much of Greece. The Dorians were one of the major ethnic tribes of Greece.
The areas in shades of brown spoke a Doric dialect. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doric_Greek
Doric also refers to a style of architecture, as exemplified by the Parthenon Temple to Athena in Athens, Greece. Doric columns have a capital (the top, or crown) made of a circle topped by a square.
http://www.cmhpf.org/kids/dictionary/classicalorders.html
Dus- (δῠσ-) is a prefix meaning hard-to-do, increasing the bad sense of a word and destroying its good meaning. Dusgnostos (δῠσγνωστος), for example, means hard to (δῠσ-) know (γνωστος).
Dutikos (δῠτικός) means dive; setting; western.
The letter Δ means directed-trajectory.
Webster’s defines direct as “to manage or guide; to regulate the course of;” and traject as to “transport, transmit.” A directed-trajectory is a guided transmission.
The delta (dέλτα) of a river is the triangular-shaped deposit of sediment at the mouth of a river that directs the current.
The Nile River Delta in Egypt. http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/images/pictures/earth/nileriverdelta.jpg
Arrows are an iconic symbol of direction.
The triangular arrow-tip directs the flight of a spear. Dour- (δουρ-) is a prefix meaning spear.
http://www.american-indian-art.com/arrows.html
An arrow sign. http://www.wgnflag.com/xcart/Arrow-Sign-Black.html
Tellingly, the simple Greek word de (δέ) means but, a word that redirects the current subject.
De (δέ) also implies a causal connection, as in then.
FROM A CERTAIN PLACE, TIME
Dee (δή) means at this point; at that point; now; then; literally “directed-trajectory center.”
Deethen (δῆθεν) means from that time, thenceforth.
Deetha (δηθά) means for a long time.
Deeladee (δηλᾰδή) means clearly, manifestly; yes plainly; of course.
Deepothen (δήποθεν) means from any quarter.
Deepoka (δήποκα), deepote (δήποτε), and deekote (δήκοτε) mean at some time, once, once upon a time.
Deepou (δήπου) means perhaps, doubtless, I presume, surely it is so that . . .
Deeta (δῆτα) means what then? now . . .
DIRECTED ACTION
As a suffix, -de (-δέ) denotes motion towards, as in alade (άλαδε): sea-wards.
Degmon (δέγμον) means way or road.
Dedaloi (δέδαλοι) means the front-line in a battle.
Deeris (δῆρις) means battle, contest.
Deeema (δέημα) means entreaty. Deeesis (δέησις) means entreaty, petition. Deeetikos (δεητικός) means suppliant, one who seeks divine intercession, forgiveness, etc.
Deiree (δειρή) means neck, throat; gully, glen; a flow-through channel.
Deuro (δεῦρο) means here; hither; with all verbs of motion.
Deute (δεῦτε) means come hither!
Deo (δέω) means to be bound; bind, tie, fetter. Deo (δέω) also means to be in need of; want; beg for.
TWO
In geometry, a line is defined by two points. Two points are required to determine a trajectory.
Deuteros (δεύτερος) means second, next, literally “directed-trajectory essence.”
Di- (δι-) is a prefix meaning two, literally “directed-trajectory divine-power.”
Diomeetor (δῐομήτωρ) is a Pythagorean name for two.
Dip- (διπ-) means two, twice, repeat.
Dis (δίς) means twice, doubly.
Dizo (δίζω) means to be in doubt, or “of two minds.”
Dieeko (δῐήκω) means to extend or reach from one place to another. Note that eeko (ήκω) means to have reached a point.
Dioskoroi (Δῐοσκοροι) means Dioscuri, the constellation the Twins, also known as Gemini (May-June).
Dicha (δίχᾰ) means in two, asunder.
Dichas (δῐχάς) means the half, middle.
Dioros (δίωρος) means having two boundary stones (what good is one?)
Doioi (δοιοί) means duo, two, both, twofold, double. Doiotokos (δοιοτόκος) means bearing twins. Doiazo (δοιάζω) means consider in two ways, be in two minds.
Duas (δυάς) means the number two, literally “directed-trajectory pure.”
Duo (δύο, δύω) means two.
THROUGHOUT, THROUGH: DIA-, DIE-, DIO-
Dia (διά) and the prefix dia- (δια-) mean in a line from one end to another; right through, straight through; throughout.
Die- (δῐε-) is a prefix meaning throughout, go through, pass through.
Dio- (διο-) is a prefix meaning throughout, through.
Duo (δύω) means sink, plunge in; get or go into; enter.
Diagonios (διαγώνιος) means from angle to angle, diagonal. Note that gonios (γώνιος) means angular.
Diagnosis (διάγνωσις) means the power of discernment, diagnosis, decision. Note that gnosis (γνωσις) means seeking to know, inquiry, investigation.
Diagramma (διάγραμμα) is a figure marked out by lines, a plan, geometrical figure; musical scale; map; list; diagram. Note that gramma (γραμμα) means that which is drawn.
Diaionizo (διαιωνιζω) means perpetuate, to be eternal. Note that Ionizo (Ίωνίζω) means Ionic.
Dialektikos (διαλεκτικός) means conversational, dialectic, directing a discussion by question and answer; also, common language, talk; way of speaking, accent; speech, language, discourse. Note that lektikos (λεκτικός) means good at speaking, able to speak.
Dianoeo (διανοέω) means to have in mind, to intend, to have purpose. Note that noeo (νοέω) means perceive by the mind, apprehend, think, consider, reflect.
Diarroee (διαρροή) means channel, pipe, conduit.
Diarreo (διαρρέω) means flow through, the basis for the word diarrhea.
Diait- (δῐαίτ-) is a prefix meaning rules of life, regimen, diet, customs. Diaita (δίαιτα) means way of living, mode of life.
Diaphusikeuomai (διαφῠσικεύμαι) means to study natural philosophy, study physics. Note that phusikeumai (φῠσικεύμαι) means physics (φῠσι-) + explanation (κεύμαι).
Diacheo (διαχέω) means to pour different ways, scatter, disperse, spread. Note that cheo (χέω) means pour out, let flow.
Dialusis (διάλῠσις) means separating, parting, dissolution, “dia- + loosened.”
Dieenekees (διηνεκής) means continuous, unbroken. Note that eenekees (ηνεκής) means far-stretching, continuous, without break, literally “throughout unbroken.”
Diorugee (διορῠγή) means to cut a canal; to dig through.
Diocheteia (διοχετεία) means irrigation works.
Dioureo (διουρέω) means to pass in urine, diurectic. Drechmones (δρέχμονες) means kidneys, the organ responsible for regulating urine.
Diorux (διώρυξ) means trench, conduit, canal.
FROM HEAVEN
Dios (δῖος) means heavenly, from heaven.
Dios (δῐοσ) is the first element in various compound names of plants.
Dio- (Διο-) is a prefix sometimes used in reference to the immortal God Zeus.
Zeus is “primarily the [G]od of the sky and the weather, known under a variety of names . . .”
(E.O. James. The Ancient Gods: The History and Diffusion of Religion in the Ancient Near East and the Eastern Mediterannean (New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1960) 160-70.)
Dioblees (Διοβλής) means struck by Zeus. Diobolos (Διοβολος) means of the thunderbolt.
Diogenetor (Διογενέτωρ) means giving birth to Zeus, the natal cave of Zeus.
Dan (Δάν), Deus (Δεύς), Di (Δί), Dia (Δία), Dis (Δίς), and Deen (Δήν) are other names for Zeus. Danas (δάνας) means governor. Deen (Δήν) means long-lived.
DIONYSOS: WINE
Deonus (Δεονῦς), Deunusos (Δευνῦσος), Dianusos (Διάνυσος), Dienusos (Διένυσος), Dinusos (Δίνυσος), and Dionusos (Διόνυσος, Δῐόνῦσος, Διώνῦσος) mean Dionysos, the immortal God of wine.
Recall that dia (διά-), die- (δῐε-) and dio- (διο-) are prefixes meaning throughout.
Nussa (νύσσᾰ) means starting point, ending point, turning point, point.
Nusseeitas (νυσσηἷτας) is a Pythagorean name for the number 9, a number that, in Greek literature, implies a period of waiting that culminates in the number 10.
These definitions suggest that Dionysos is the immortal God of turning points, which is consistent with the role of wine in celebrating significant events and the effect of wine on dispositions.
Dionysos depicted as a youth with long hair holding a thyrsos (pine-cone tipped staff) in one hand.
Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA Catalogue Number: Harvard 1960.347 Beazley Archive Number: 217539 Ware: Attic Red Figure Shape: Hydria-kalpis Painter: Attributed to the Class of Brussels A3099, circa 410 - 400 BCE. http://www.theoi.com/Gallery/K12.1.html
GODS AND GODDESSES
Dea (Δεά) means Goddess.
Deos (Δεός) means the Gods and Goddesses; also, fear, reverence.
Dai (δαί) is an expression of wonder or curiosity. Daidalma (δαίδαλμα) means work of art.
Daimon (Δαίμων) means God or Goddess; divine power.
Daimonion (δαιμόνιον) means divine power, Divinity.
Daimonios (δαιμόνιος) means miraculous, marvelous, a divine intervention.
Daimonao (δαιμονάω) means to be under the power of a deity.
Deeo (Δηώ) is Deo, Demeter, the immortal Earth-Goddess credited with controlling the harvest:
“The ancient Corn-Goddess and/or Earth-Mother, Demeter, with her daughter Kore, the Corn-Maiden, embodied the new harvest and was very closely associated with these agricultural operations. At Eleusis she was the giver of the corn on the Rarian plain, and while this was always her principal function, her Mysteries had a wider and deeper significance which extended far beyond the cornfields into the realms of the hereafter. But in the beginning Demeter and her worship centred in her control of the processes of vegetation, causing the corn to germinate and the fruits of the earth to spring forth. At the aumtumnal sowing of the crops in October or November (11th to 13th of the month Pyanopsion) the festival of the Thesmophoria was held in her honour, celebrated solely by women who erected bowers with couches and sat upon the ground to promote the fertility of the corn that had just been sown, and to secure their own fecundity—hence the presence of sexual symbols. The casting of pigs scared to Demeter into subterranean chasms (μέγαρα) during the course of the rites, probably represented the descent of Kore into the nether regions of Pluto, and the bringing up of the putrefied remains of those thrown in the previous year, placing them on an altar and mixing them with seed-corn to secure a good crop, was said to commemorate the swallowing up of the swineherd Eubuleus by the earth when Kore was abducted, and the engulfing of his herd in the chasm. The festival, therefore, was regarded as an annual commemoration of the Corn-maiden’s descent into the underworld.”
(E.O. James. The Ancient Gods: The History and Diffusion of Religion in the Ancient Near East and the Eastern Mediterannean (New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1960) 160-161.)
TEACH: LEARN
Dao (δάω) means to learn; to teach.
Daeesis (δάησις) means learning, understanding.
Daeira (Δάειρα) means Knowing One, an epithet of Demeter’s immortal daughter, Persephone, at Athens. Daeiritees (Δάειρίτης) means a priest of Persephone.
Daeemon (δαημων) means to be knowing, experienced in a thing; knowing best how to.
Deigma (δεῖγμα) means sample, pattern, plan, sketch, or example.
Deiksis (δεῖξις) means proof, a specimen, display, exhibit.
Didaktos (δῐδακτός) means taught; learnt, the basis for the word didactic.
Didasko (δῐδάσκω) means instruct, teach.
TO DO: “DIRECTED-TRAJECTORY FLOW”
The letters δρ-, literally “directed-trajectory outflow,” begin action words, such as:
-drama (δρᾶμα): a deed, act; action represented on the stage
-dranos (δρᾶνος): doing, deed
-drao (δράω): do, accomplish, do some great thing; offer sacrifice
-drasis (δρᾶσις): action, opposite of passivity
-drasteos (δραστέος): to be done
-dreeloi (δρηλοῖ): put to flight, flee in terror, literally “directed-trajectory outflow-of center loosened”
-dreesteuo (δρηστεύω): perform holy rites
-dreesteer (δρηστήρ): laborer, worker, “do-er”
-driaousan (δριαουσαν): sprout, grow, bloom. Note that ousia (ούσία) means the primary real, the substratum underlying all change and process in nature.
-drialein (δριαλεῖν): make, do, produce, create, invent, prepare
-dromos (δρόμος): run, runner, running
-dropis (δρόπις): gather fruits, harvest crop. Note that opis (όπις) means the care or favor of the Gods and Goddesses.
-droma (δρωμᾶ): run.
DYNAMITE
Dunamai (δύνᾰμαι) means to be able or strong enough to do something, literally “directed-trajectory pure prevailing,” the basis for the word dynamite.
Dunameros (δῠνᾰμερός) means potent (of drugs).
Dunamikos (δῠνᾰμικός) means powerful. Webster’s defines dynamic as “characterized by energy or effective action.”
Dunamis (δύνᾰμις) means powerful, power, might, influence; manifestation of divine power, a miracle.
Dunasteia (δῠναστεία) means power, domination, the exercise of political power, mighty deeds, the basis for the word dynasty.
Dunateo (δῠνᾰτέω) means strong, mighty.
LURE
A lure distracts from one’s trajectory. The following words share the notion of Λ “loosening” from a directed-trajectory.
Dele- (δελε-) is a prefix meaning entice, bait, literally “directed-trajectory loosened.”
Dolos (δόλος) means bait.
Dolo (δολόω) means to beguile, ensnare.
Doleros (δολερός) means deceitful, treacherous.
Doleuma (δόλευμα) means ruse.
Doloeis (δολόεις) means subtle, wily, crafty.
THE CHASE
Dioko (διώκω) means pursue, chase; as a law-term, prosecute.
Diktunna (Δίκτυννα), Diktynna, is an epithet of Artemis as the immortal Goddess of the chase, the hunt. Diktuon (δίκτῠον) means net, fishing-net, hunting-net.
VISION AND DIRECTION
Vision and direction are inextricably linked, as exemplified by the adage, “watch where you’re going.”
Deik- (δεικ-) is a prefix meaning show, represent, portray, prove.
Dokeuo (δοκεύω) means to train one’s eye on, watch narrowly, literally “directed-trajectory core.”
Dokee (δοκή) means vision, opinion, expectation. Dokeo (δοκέω) means to expect, think, suppose. Doksa (δόξᾱ) means expectation, opinion.
Daktul- (δακτῠλ-) is a prefix meaning finger, fingers, literally “directed-trajectory core extend/stretch.” Daktulos (δακτῠλος) means fingers. Fingers are typically used for pointing to indicate direction, as in answer to the question, “Which way did he go?”
Fingers pointing to indicate direction. http://depositphotos.com/3439703/stock-photo-Hands-pointing-to-left-and-right.html
DIKE: ALL-SEEING EYE OF JUSTICE
Dikee (Δίκη) is Dike, the all-seeing Goddess of justice, order, right; also, the object or consequences of an action; atonement, satisfaction, penalty.
The all-seeing eye at the pinnacle of the pyramid on the United States dollar bill.
Orphic Hymn 61. To Dike (Δίκης) (Justice) (3-14) proclaims that Dike has “vision unconfin’d:”
“. . . Perceiving thence, with vision unconfin’d,
The life and conduct of the human kind:
To thee, revenge and punishment belong,
Chastising ev’ry deed, unjust and wrong; . . .
For thou art ever to the good inclin’d,
And hostile to the men of evil mind . . .”
(Orpheus. The Hymns of Orpheus (circa 200 BCE), translated by Thomas Taylor, introductory preface by Manly P. Hall (London: Printed for the Author, 1792. Reprinted Los Angeles, CA: The Philosophical Research Society, 1981) 193-194.)
Dikazo (δῐκάζω) means judge, sit in judgment, decide on, determine.
Dikaios (δίκαιος) is defined in the Lexicon as observant of custom or rule, civilized, observant of duties; equal, even, well-balanced; meet and right, fitting; right, just.
Dikologeo (δῐκολογέω) means to plead causes, advocate.
Although modern images typically depict Justice as blindfolded, ancient writers describe Dike as all-seeing and even included the admonishment in jury instructions that Dike/Justice is always watching.
“You must magnify the Goddess of Order who loves what is right and preserves every city and every land; and before you cast your votes, each juryman must reflect that he is being watched by hallowed and inexorable Justice, who, as Orpheus, that prophet of our most sacred mysteries, tells us . . . oversees all the works of men.”
(Demosthenes (circa 350 BCE). Against Aristogeiton 25. 11. Demosthenes with an English translation by A. T. Murray, Ph.D., LL.D. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1939.
Aeschylus also speaks of the all-seeing eye of Justice:
“Justice (Dike), voiceless, unseen, seeth thee when thou sleepest and when thou goest forth and when thou liest down. Continually doth she attend thee . . . ”
(Aeschylus (circa 450 BCE) Fragment 253, in Stobaeus, Anthology i. 3. 98 (Wachsmuth i. 57), Theophilus, To Autolycus ii. 37.p.178, translated by Herbert Weir Smyth, Assigned to Aeschylus by Hermann.) http://www.theoi.com/Text/AeschylusFragments3.html
DELOS
Deelos (δῆλος) means visible, conspicuous, clear, manifest.
Deelios (Δήλιος, Δάλιος) means Delian, a name of the immortal God Apollo.
Deelios (Δήλιος, Δάλιος) refers to the Gods and Goddesses worshiped at Delos (Δάλος, Δελος, Δῆλος). Delos is the immortal Goddess of the Greek island where Apollo and his twin sister, Artemis, were born.
Map of Delos. http://www.hillmanwonders.com/greece/delos.htm
Below, a depiction of the Gods and Goddesses of Delos including Leto and her twin children, Apollo and Artemis, as well as Delos herself:
Leto, Artemis, Apollon and Delos/Asteria, all holding laurel branches, stand beside the sacred palm tree on the island of Delos.
Museo Nazionale, Palermo, Italy Catalogue Number: Palermo 21887 Beazley Archive Number: 220558, Attic Red Figure Krater, calyx Painter: In the Manner of the Pheidias Painter, circa 420 BCE. This is a drawing of the vase rather than a photographic representation. http://www.theoi.com/Gallery/T14.7.html
Nonnos describes the role that Delos played in the birth of Leto’s twin children, Apollo and Artemis:
“. . . Leto carried her twin burden [pregnant with Apollo and Artemis] and had to wander over the world, tormented with the pangs of childbirth; . . . until Delos gave help to her labour, until the old palmtree played midwife for Leto . . .”
(Nonnos. Dionysiaca, Vol. II, Books 16-35 (277), translated by W. H. D. Rouse, Loeb Classical Library (London: William Heinemann; Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1940) 339. http://www.amazon.com/dp/0674993918/ref=rdr_ext_tmb )
DELPHI
Delphoi (Δελφοί), also known as Belphoi (Βέλφοι), is the seat of one of the most revered “oracles” of the ancient world. Belphaion (Βελφαῖον) is the name of a treasury at Delphi.
The American city Philadelphia translates as “lovers of Delphi.”
In ancient times, governance decisions and other weighty matters were brought before the Delphic priestess who channeled and professed the will of the God or Goddess of Delphi.
Museum Collection: Antiken-sammlung, Berlin, Germany Catalogue No.: Berlin F2538 Beazley Archive No.: 217214 Ware: Attic Red Kylix, Attr. to the Codrus Painter Date: circa 430 BCE
Themis sits on the Delphic tripod in the role of Pythia, the oracular prophet of the Delphic shrine. She holds a phiale in one hand and a sprig of laurel in the other. King Aigeus of Athens approaches her to receive an oracle regarding the birth of a son.
http://www.theoi.com/Gallery/T8.1.html
Aeschylus (circa 450 BCE), in his play The Eumenides, depicts the Pythia priestess of Delphi professing that the deity channeled through Delphi was initially Gaia (Goddess Earth), who passed this responsibility on to her daughter, Themis (Justice), who passed it on to Phoibe (Pure Prophet), who gifted the role to Phoibos (Apollo). http://archive.org/stream/aeschyluswitheng02aescuoft/aeschyluswitheng02aescuoft_djvu.txt
(Aeschylus, “Eumenides (1-8),” in Aeschylus II: Agamemnon, Libation-Bearers, Eumenides, Fragments, trans. Herbert Weir Smyth, (London: William Heinemann; New York: Putnam’s Sons, 1926), 272).
The meaning of the word “Delphi” has been attributed to other words that are similar to it, such as:
-delphos (δελφος) or delphaks (δέλφαξ): pig, pork (sacred to Demeter); delphakion (δελφάκιον) means suckling-pig
-delphis (δελφίς) or delphin (δελφίν): dolphin
-delphiks (δέλφιξ): the tripod the priestess sat upon (note that φιξ means Sphinx (Σφίγξ))
-delphus (δελφύς): womb (note that φύς means beget, bring-forth, engender, form by nature).
DODONA
Dodonee (Δωδώνη) is Dodona in Epirus, the seat of the most ancient “oracle” of Zeus.
Dodone/Dodona is shown on the far west of this map of Greek temples.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dodona_location.svg
Dionee (Δῐωνη) is Dione, the immortal mother of Aphrodite (Goddess of passionate love) and, with the immortal God Zeus, the inspiration for the “oracle” at Dodona.
TORCH
A torch is a portable source of light in the darkness. It can be used as a signal, a focal point, and an aid to visibility. A torch-bearer leads a procession.
Dado- (δαδο-) is a prefix meaning torch. A dais (δαΐς) is a pine-torch. Daio (δαίω) means to light up, kindle. Daeethmon (δαηθμόν) means burning.
Torches are generally made from pine-wood, dadinos (δάδινος). Dad- (δαδ-) is a prefix meaning resin, a tree-liquid prized as incense, perfume, amber, and for its flammable properties as pine-pitch or pine-tar.
Dalos (δᾱλός) means torch, beacon-light. Daos (δάος) is another word for torch. Other words meaning torch are detis (δέτις), detos (δετός), and detee (δετή).
Dadeephoros (δαδηφόρος) means torch-bearing.
The Statue of Liberty in New York’s harbor is a famous torch-bearing icon.
http://www.inetours.com/New_York/Tours/photos/Statue-Liberty-Cruise-2.html
Dadoucheo (δᾆδουχέω) means to carry a torch, especially in pageants. Dadouchos (δᾆδουχός) means torch-bearer, usually referring to this hereditary office at the mysteries of Demeter at Eleusis. Dad- (δᾆδ-) is a prefix that means torch, literally “directed-trajectory arising directed-trajectory:” the torch-bearer lead night-time processions, directing their trajectory.
William Smith, in his Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, writes in his entry Eleusinia, “All the ancients who have occasion to mention the Eleusinian mysteries, or the mysteries, as they were sometimes called, agree that they were the holiest and most venerable of all that were celebrated in Greece.”
(William Smith. “Eleusinia,” Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities (London: John Murray, 1875.) http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/secondary/SMIGRA*/Eleusinia.html
Pausanias describes a building where preparations were made for the Eleusinian processions:
"On entering the city [of Athens] there is a building for the preparation of the processions, which are held in some cases every year, in others at longer intervals. Hard by is a temple of Demeter, with images of the [G]oddess herself and of her daughter (Persephone), and of Iacchus [leader of the Eleusinian Mysteries] holding a torch."
(Pausanias. Description of Greece 1.2.4, translated by W.H.S. Jones and H.A. Omerod (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1918). http://www.theoi.com/Text/Pausanias1A.html
The Ninnion Tablet depicts Demeter, Persephone, and Iacchus, and the procession of Eleusinian initiates. Several participants carry torches.
Discovered at the sanctuary of Eleusis. Musée Archéologique National, Athènes, Greece.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninnion_Tablet
Night-time, torch-lit Eleusinian processions were held to honor Demeter’s search for her daughter, Persephone, who was abducted by Plouton, the immortal God of the underworld.
Homer, writing circa 600 BCE in his Hymn to Demeter, as well as Diodorus of Sicily, Ovid, and Statius, writing some 600 years later, describe Demeter as holding torches while searching in the darkness for Persephone.
"Then for nine days queenly Deo wandered over the earth with flaming torches in her hands [in search of her daughter Persephone]."
(Homer (circa 650-550 BCE). Hymn 2 to Demeter 48 ff, translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White (Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann Ltd., 1914. Reprinted in English by Dodo Press dodopress.co.uk, 2011).
". . . Demeter, being unable to find her daughter, kindled torches in the craters of Mt. Aetna and visited many parts of the inhabited world, an upon the men (sic) who received her with the greatest favour she conferred benefactions, rewarding them with the gift of the fruit of the wheat."
(Diodorus Siculus (of Sicily) (circa 50 BCE). Library of History Books 5. 4. 3, translated by C.H. Oldfather (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1935) 107.)
Ovid depicts the immortal Muse Calliope singing of torch-bearing Demeter (Roman Ceres) in Metamorphoses:
“Now it befell when Proserpine (Persephone) was lost, her anxious mother sought through every land and every sea in vain. She rested not . . . She lit two pines from Aetna’s flames and held one in each hand, and restless bore them through the frosty glooms . . ."
(Ovid (circa 50 BCE-50 CE). Metamorphoses 5. 354 ff, translated by Brookes More (Boston: Cornhill, 1922) Book 5. http://www.theoi.com/Text/OvidMetamorphoses1.html
Statius describes a similar scene:
"Even so did the bereaved Ceres [Demeter] light her torch and from Aetna's rocks cast the shifting glare of the mighty flame here over Sicily, there over Ausonia (southern Italy), as she followed the traces of the dark ravisher [Plouton] . . . "
(Statius. Thebaid 12. 270 ff, translated by J.H. Mozley (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1928).)
http://www.theoi.com/Text/StatiusThebaid12.html
Demeter is depicted on ancient coins, statues, and vases as holding a torch.
The first coin depicts Ceres (Demeter) standing holding corn in one hand and a torch in the other, Augusta on the other side. The second depicts Demeter seated. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=98289
http://www.flickr.com/photos/antiquitiesproject/4861686061/in/set-72157626255561195/
Statue of Demeter on an altar © The Trustees of the British MuseumRoman, circa 150 CE. From Athens, Greece. http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/gr/s/statue_of_demeter_on_an_altar.aspx
Eleusis (Demeter, holding a cross-shaped torch) & Eniatus (Year), Apulian red-figure loutrophoros, circa 350 BCE, The J. Paul Getty Museum.
http://www.theoi.com/Georgikos/EleusiniosEleusis.html
DEMOCRACY
Deemeetreioi (Δημήτρειοι) means Demeter’s people.
Deem- (δημ-) and deemo (δημο-) are prefixes meaning the people. Deemios (δήμιος) means belonging to the people, elected by the people.
Deemokratikos (δημοκρᾰτικός) means of or for democracy.
Deemos (δῆμος) means district, country, land; also, the commons, common people; the sovereign people, the free citizens; the popular assembly.
DEMETER
Dee (δῆ) means earth. Da (δᾶ) is an oath, “by Earth!”
Deeo (Δηώ) means Demeter. Deeai (δηαί) means barley.
Ancient coins of southern Italy (circa 330 BCE) feature an image of Demeter on one side and an image of barley on the reverse.
Lucania circa 325-280 BCE. Wreathed head of Demeter left, wearing triple-pendant earring. Seven-grained Barley ear, rake above leaf META right. ex: Windsor Antiquities http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/lucania/metapontion/t.html
Gee (Γῆ) is Ge, the immortal Goddess of naturally generative Earth. Demeter is the Goddess credited with directing humanity in the cultivation of agricultural crops and the rule of law. According to Diodorus, Ge is a more ancient name for Demeter:
τήν δέ γῆν ὥσπερ αγμεῖόν τι τῶν φυομένων ύπολαμβάνοντας μητέρα προσαγορεὓσαι' καί τούς "Ελληνας δέ ταύτην παραπλησίως Δήμητραν καλεῖν, βραχύ μετατεθείσης διά τόν χρόνον τῆς λέξεως' τό γάρ παλαιόν όνομάζεσθαι γῆν μητέρα, καθάπερ καί τόν Όρφέα προσμαρτυρεἳν λέγοντα
Γῆ μήτηρ πάντων, Δημήτηρ πλουτοδότειρα.
“The earth, again, they looked upon as a kind of vessel which holds all growing things and so gave it the name ‘mother’; and in like manner the Greeks also call it Demeter, the word having been slightly changed in the course of time; for in olden time they called her Ge Meter (Earth Mother), to which Orpheus bears witness when he speaks of ‘Earth the Mother of all, Demeter giver of wealth.’”
(Diodorus Siculus (of Sicily) (circa 50 BCE). Library of History 1.12, translated by C.H. Oldfather (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1933) 42-43.)
Damatrizein (δᾱμᾱτρίζειν) means to gather in the fruits of the earth.
Damateer (Δαμάτηρ), Deemeeteer (Δημήτηρ), Deemeetra (Δημήτρα), and Domateer (Δωμάτηρ) mean Demeter. Demeter is the immortal Mother Goddess credited with directing the trajectory of Earth's fertility. While Gaia is the Goddess of Earth's natural, organic growth, Demeter is the Goddess who directs Earth's fertility and the art of agriculture.
Deemeeteer (Δημήτηρ) also means bread.
In Euripides’ The Bacchae, Teiresias says that Demeter supplies humanity with “solid food:”
“There are two powers, young man, which are supreme,
In human affairs: first, Demeter—the same [G]oddess
Is also Earth; give her which name you please—and she
Supplies mankind with solid food. After her came
Dionysus, Semele’s son; the blessing he procured
And gave to men (sic) is counterpart to that of bread:
The clear juice of the grape.”
(Euripides. “The Bacche (315-322),” The Bacchae and Other Plays, translated by Philip Vellacott (London and New York: Penguin Books: 1954, 1973) 200.)
Diodorus of Sicily credits Demeter with teaching grain cultivation to humanity, in essence, taming the growth of grains from a wild, uncultivated state.
Δήμητραν δέ, τοῦ σίτου φυομένου μέν ώς ἕτυχε μετά τῆς ἅλλης βοτάνης, άγνοουμένου δέ παρ' άνθρώροις, πρώτην συγκομίσαι καί τήν κατεργασίαν αύτοῦ καί φυλακήν έπινοῆσαι καί σπείρειν καταδεῖξαι. (Diodorus Siculus (of Sicily). Library of History 5.68.1.)
“And Demeter, since the corn still grew wild together with the other plants and was still unknown to men (sic), was the first to gather it in, to devise how to prepare and preserve it, and to instruct mankind how to sow it.”
(Diodorus Siculus (of Sicily) (circa 50 BCE). Library of History 5.68, translated by C.H. Oldfather (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1935) 281.)
Diodorus says that Demeter created the culture of laws arising from civilization:
“Now she had discovered the corn before she gave birth to her daughter Persephonê, but after the birth of her daughter and the rape [sic: abduction] of her by Pluton, she burned all the fruit of the corn, both because of her anger at Zeus and because of her grief over her daughter.
“After she had found Persephonê, however, she became reconciled with Zeus and gave Triptolemus the corn to sow, instructing him both to share the gift with men (sic) everywhere and to teach them everything concerned with the labour of sowing.
“And some men (sic) say that it was she also who introduced laws, by obedience to which men (sic) have become accustomed to deal justly with one another, and that mankind has called this [G]oddess Thesmophoros after the laws which she gave them.
“And since Demeter has been responsible for the greatest blessings to mankind, she has been accorded the most notable honours and sacrifices, and magnificent feasts and festivals as well, not only by the Greeks, but also by almost all barbarians [non-Greeks] who have partaken of this kind of food.”
(Diodorus Siculus (of Sicily) (circa 50 BCE). Library of History 5.68, translated by C.H. Oldfather (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1935) 281.)
The Homeric Hymn to Demeter, circa 650 BCE, is the oldest literary document which narrates the story of Demeter and Persephone.
(Sir James Frazer. The Golden Bough, VII Part 5, Vol. 1 (London: Macmillan and Co., 1920, reprinted by Elibron Classics series of Adamant Media, 2005) 35.)
http://books.google.com/books?id=PF4Z4H7gIs4C&pg=PA71&lpg=PA71&dq=Aristides,+Eleusinia,+vol.+i+p.+259,&source=bl&ots=vpHmDjprhM&sig=WwI3iCXNTkcxnOg5LqmwAM7vwjY&hl=en&sa=X&ei=-aCeT-XpN-WC6AHQirGcDw&ved=0CCsQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Aristides%2C%20Eleusinia%2C%20vol.%20i%20p.%20259%2C&f=false
Demeter and Metanira. Detail of the belly of an Apulian red-figure hydria, circa 340 BCE. Berlin Museum. (Metanira is the Eleusinian mother of a child cured by Demeter.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metanira
Eleusis (here spelled “Elefsis”) is northwest of Athens. http://0.tqn.com/d/gogreece/1/0/r/7/greekmap.jpg
Deeoinee (Δηωΐνη) means daughter of Demeter, literally “Demeter (Δηω) divine-power prevailing (ΐν).” Interestingly, the word dauta (δαῦτα) means herbs, vegetables, an arguable origin for the word daughter.
Persephone and Plouton enthroned. Detail from a painting of Orpheus in the Afterlife. Plouton holds a bird-tipped staff, and Persephone a crossed Eleusinian torch. http://www.theoi.com/image/K14.1Haides.jpg
Apulian red figure Volute krater, attributed to White Saccos Painter, circa 320 BCE. The J Paul Getty Museum, Malibu, California, USA, number Malibu 77.AE.13.
Demeter and Persephone, relief from Sanctuary of Demeter at Eleusis, circa 450 BCE.
http://www.randall-roberts.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/435px-NAMA_Triade_éleusinienne3.jpg
TAME
Webster’s defines tame as “changed from the wild or savage state; domesticated . . . tractable, docile, or submissive.”
One who is tamed obliges willingly to direction, becomes a medium of direction.
Interestingly, damnos (δάμνος) means horse, an animal that is of little practical use unless tamed. Damnippos (δάμνιππος) means horse- (ιππος) taming (δάμν).
Dmeeteer (δμητήρ) means tamer; meeteer (μητήρ) means mother, suggesting that it is the mother’s role to tame/direct her child.
Dmeetos (δμητός) means tamed.
Damazo (δαμάζω) means to tame, break-in animals; make subject, force, seduce, subdue, conquer. Damasis (δάμᾰσις) means taming, subduing.
Damatrion (δαμάτριον) is a flower like narcissus, a narcotic.
http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/lucania/metapontion/i.html
Damnamenee (δαμναμένη) means to overpower by force.
Damneetis (δαμνῆτις) means she that subdues.
RULER
Desis (δέσις) means binding together.
Desma (δέσμα) means bond, fetter.
Desmos (δεσμός) means band, bond, anything for tying and fastening.
Despoina (δέσποινα) means lady of the house, princess, queen, empress; an epithet of the immortal Goddesses Hecate, Artemis, and particularly Persephone.
Despoinikos (δεσποινικός) means belonging to the Imperial household.
Desposios (δεσπόσιος) means an act of authority.
Despotees (δεσπότης) means ruler, the basis for the word despot.
GIFTS
Gifts involve a giver and a receiver.
Danos (δᾱνός) means gift, present; also, loan or debt. Dan- (δᾰν-) is a prefix meaning loan. Daneion (δάνειον) means loan.
Doma (δόμα) means gift.
Dosis (δόσις) means giving, bequest, legacy, dose of medicine, portion, destiny.
Doteer (δοτήρ), doteira (δότειρα), and dotor (δώτωρ) mean giver (one who dotes?).
Dorea (δωρεά) means gift, present.
Doron (δῶρον) means gift, present, gift of honor; also, the front part of the palm (presumably, from which the gift is released or received).
Dotinee (δωτίνη) means gift, present.
DIVIDE UP; FEAST
A banquet or feast is a form of dividing up the available food.
Daio (δαίω) means both divide and feast.
Daigmos (δαϊγμός) means division, partition.
Daizo (δαΐζω) means to cleave asunder, tear, rend, divide.
Daithmos (δαιθμός) means allotment, rule of distribution.
Dainumi (δαίνῡμι) means to give a banquet or feast.
Dais (δαίς) means meal, banquet, meat, food.
Daisis (δαῖσις) means the division of property.
Daitee (δαίτη) means feast, banquet. A daitees (δαίτης) is a priest responsible for dividing up the meat from the animals sacrificed. A daitreia (δαιτρεία) is the place where the meat is cut up.
Damothoinia (δᾱμοθοινία) means a public feast.
Darata (δαράτα) is a kind of bread offered in religious ceremonies.
Dasma (δάσμα) means a share, portion given as tribute to the sovereign. Dasmos (δασμός) means a division of spoil; tribute.
Dasso (δάσσω) means divide. Dat- (δᾰτ-) is a prefix meaning divide.
Dei (δεῖ) means it is needful for one to do, one must.
Deiema (δείεμα) means that which is eaten, food, meat.
Deipneo (δειπνέω) means to make a meal, dine. Deipnon (δεῖπνον) means meal.
Deisia (δεισία) means distribution.
Detros (δετρός) means slaughterer, butcher, meat-seller.
Deeio (δηϊόω) means slay, rend, tear, cleave.
ABJECT FEAR
Fear is a great trajectory-director.
Deinos (δεινός) means fearful, awful, dangerous; also, wondrous, marvelous, strange.
Deisedaimoneo (δεισῐδαιμονέω) means to be religious, to fear the Gods and Goddesses.
Dedeia (δέδεια) means panic flight, fear, phobia.
Dediotos (δεδιότως) means in fear.
Deido (δείδω) means fearful, cowardly, fear, to be alarmed.
Deilaios (δείλαιος) means wretched, sorry, miserable.
Deilia (δειλία) means timidity, cowardice. Deilos (δειλός) means cowardly.
Deima (δεῖμα) means fear. Deimos (δειμός) means fear, terror.
BITE
An itch, bite, or sting can tend to direct one’s attention and trajectory.
Daks (δάξ) means itch or bite.
Daptees (δάπτης) means bloodsucker (of gnats).
Dapto (δάπτω) means to devour.
Deegma (δῆγμα) means bite, sting.
Deekt- (δηκτ-) is a prefix meaning bite, sting.
Deeksis (δῆξις) means bite, gnaw, pang.
Drimus (δρῑμύς) means piercing, sharp, keen, acidic, bitter.
OTHER
Hand
Dareir (δάρειρ) means the space one can embrace between the thumb and little finger; span; as a fixed measure. (Incidentally, darthano (δαρθάνω) means sleep, “span of death.”)
Deka (δέκᾰ) means ten, the number of fingers of the hands.
Depho (δέφω) means to soften by working with the hand.
Dech- (δεχ-) is a prefix meaning ten.
Dechas (δεχάς) means receptacle. Dechomai (δέχομαι) means to take, accept, receive, hold (presumably with the ten fingers).
Deksia (δεξιά) means the right hand (opposite left), the basis for the word dexterity.
Dochos (δοχός) means able to hold.
Tree, Oak, Snake
The prefix dru- (δρῦ-) means tree, oak, snake.
Druos (δρύος) means woodland.
Druas (Δρῠας) means Dryad, a nymph (divine spirit) whose life is bound up with the life of her tree.
Druas (Δρῠας) also means snake.
A druinas (δρῠΐνας) is a serpent living in hollow oaks.
Drus (δρῦς) means tree, oaks, the woods.
Doru (δόρυ) means stem, tree; plank, beam; the shaft of a spear.
Thick, Shaggy
Daskios (δάσκῐος) means thick-shaded, bushy.
Dasos (δάσος) means thicket, copse, shagginess.
Dasu- (δᾰσῠ-) is a prefix meaning thick, rough, bushy, shaggy. Dasus (δᾰσύς) means hairy, shaggy, rough, thick.
Dasullios (Δᾰσύλλιος) is an epithet of Bacchus, the immortal God of wine.
Daulos (δαυλός) means thick, shaggy.
Other Words Beginning with the Letter Δ
Dagus (δᾱγύς) means a puppet.
Daikt- (δᾰϊκτ-) is a prefix meaning to slay, murder, slay in battle.
Dalkion (δάλκιον) means writing-tablet, any writing.
Dalmanai (δαλμᾶναι) means image, likeness, representation.
Dalmates (Δαλμᾰτες) means Dalmatia, the coastline that runs parallel to Italy’s eastern coast, spanning from Croatia to Albania.
Dapedon (δάπεδον) means level surface, floor, ground. Note that pedon (πεδον) means ground, earth. Dapis (δάπις) means carpet or rug.
Dardanios (Δαρδάνιος) means Trojan; from Troy (now northwest Turkey).
Dauo (δαύω) means sleep.
Daphnee (δάφνη) means sweet bay, laurel, Laurus nobilis. Laurel wreaths crown victors in the games. The laurel is particularly associated with the immortal God Apollo.
Dapsileia (δαψίλεια) means abundance, plenty.
Deielos (δείελος) means the evening part of the day. Deilee (δείλη) means afternoon.
The prefix delt- (dέλτ-) refers to anything triangular.
Deltos (δέλτος) means writing-tablet; an official document recorded on a tablet.
Demas (δέμας) means the bodily frame, the living body, the body of a corpse.
Demo (δέμω) means to build, construct.
Dendreon (δένδρεον) means tree.
Depas (δέπας) means beaker, goblet, cup.
Derma (δέρμα) means skin, hide, the basis for the word dermatology. Derris (δέρρις) means skin, leather.
Deuma (δεῦμα) means that which is steeped, seethed, boiled. Deusopoieo (δευσοποιέω) means dye, stain. Deuteer (δευτήρ) means kettle, cauldron. Deuo (δεύω) means to wet, drench.
Depsa (δέψα) means skin, hide.
Dorpon (δόρπον) means the evening meal.
Dipsa (δίψα) means thirst.
Dnopheros (δνοφερός) means veiled, dark, murky.
Dogma (δόγμα) means opinion, belief; decision, judgment.
Domos (δόμος) and doma (δῶμα) mean house, abode, the basis for the word domicile. Domao (δωμάω) means to build, construct.
Donak- (δονᾰκ-) is a prefix meaning reeds, donaks (δόναξ).
Doulos (δοῦλος) means born a slave, literally “directed-trajectory loosened,” one without self-direction.
Dorikos (Δωρικός) means Doric, a Greek dialect that prevailed over much of Greece. The Dorians were one of the major ethnic tribes of Greece.
The areas in shades of brown spoke a Doric dialect. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doric_Greek
Doric also refers to a style of architecture, as exemplified by the Parthenon Temple to Athena in Athens, Greece. Doric columns have a capital (the top, or crown) made of a circle topped by a square.
http://www.cmhpf.org/kids/dictionary/classicalorders.html
Dus- (δῠσ-) is a prefix meaning hard-to-do, increasing the bad sense of a word and destroying its good meaning. Dusgnostos (δῠσγνωστος), for example, means hard to (δῠσ-) know (γνωστος).
Dutikos (δῠτικός) means dive; setting; western.