Subtle differences between paired Greek words
Posted: November 4th, 2018, 8:30 pm
Χαίρετε,
I've been very vexed by certain Greek words that are given the exact same or similar glosses. I understand that it is possible to have two different words mean essentially the exact same thing in a language. I'm okay with that and I can live with it (though it kind of irks me). This concept is something students may fail to grasp and err in early, so I am cautious to keep this thing in mind. But I'll add that even some words in English that are the same have slightly different or subtlely different meanings. Like "see" and to "look" in English still arguably have a slightly different meaning, though they mean the same thing. The definition of "see" is more focused on perceiving with the eyes, whereas the definition of "look" is more focused on "directing one's gaze in a certain direction". That may seem like an insignificant difference, but you would never know that it would be insignificant unless you truly understood the subtle difference that there is in the first place. And i'll also add that some words that have the same meaning actually have a bigger difference than the one between "look" and "see". Take "hit" and "smack" for example. Clearly one is more specific than the other. In Greek, I would give the example of αλλος and ετερος. The former means another of the same kind and the latter means another of a different kind. Same gloss would be given, but there is a subtle difference that you would just need to remember. The list could go on, but I'm sure you get the point.
With all of that said I also think it is equally a mistake to think that all words that are given the exact same gloss mean the exact same thing, and careful study of several (or at least a few good) sources are necessary for gaining a more thorough understanding of the semantic range of the word. Especially since I have noticed that logos has several mistakes everywhere. (For example, it gave the gloss "altar" for αλλοιοω instead of "alter" for me one time. This was surely just a typo, but I have had cases where it was just wrong in the gloss or information given.)
So, I've come across several words that have really been enigmatic for me when viewed side by side. I'm just asking for anyone's insight or guidance here for how to better understand these words. I'm also kind of asking for confirmation on the first pair. These are all words that I have checked for on BDAG, NA28 Lexicon, and occasionally Liddell-Scott. I'm just focusing on the difference (however subtle) between the words, and not necessarily the entire semantic range of each word individually, unless that helps.
καιρος vs κρονος vs ωρα The former is a defined period of time and the middle is an undefined period of time? The latter could be either?
γινωσκω vs οιδα
αιτεω vs ἐρωτάω
ἀνάκειμαι vs ἀναπίπτω
γεμίζω vs ἐμπίμπλημι vs πληρόω
πονηρός vs κακος vs ἀδικία
οὐδέπω vs οὔπω vs οὐκέτι
ποῦ vs πόθεν vs ὅπου
φημί vs μηνύω
καθως vs ουτως
κρυπτός vs λάθρᾳ
κλαίω vs δακρύω
δεῦρο vs ερχομαι
οδε vs ουτος
πληθυνω vs αυξανω
I have more words I need to add to this list. So i'm just wondering if I can update this thread with more words as I come across them?
I greatly appreciate anyone's comments here.
I've been very vexed by certain Greek words that are given the exact same or similar glosses. I understand that it is possible to have two different words mean essentially the exact same thing in a language. I'm okay with that and I can live with it (though it kind of irks me). This concept is something students may fail to grasp and err in early, so I am cautious to keep this thing in mind. But I'll add that even some words in English that are the same have slightly different or subtlely different meanings. Like "see" and to "look" in English still arguably have a slightly different meaning, though they mean the same thing. The definition of "see" is more focused on perceiving with the eyes, whereas the definition of "look" is more focused on "directing one's gaze in a certain direction". That may seem like an insignificant difference, but you would never know that it would be insignificant unless you truly understood the subtle difference that there is in the first place. And i'll also add that some words that have the same meaning actually have a bigger difference than the one between "look" and "see". Take "hit" and "smack" for example. Clearly one is more specific than the other. In Greek, I would give the example of αλλος and ετερος. The former means another of the same kind and the latter means another of a different kind. Same gloss would be given, but there is a subtle difference that you would just need to remember. The list could go on, but I'm sure you get the point.
With all of that said I also think it is equally a mistake to think that all words that are given the exact same gloss mean the exact same thing, and careful study of several (or at least a few good) sources are necessary for gaining a more thorough understanding of the semantic range of the word. Especially since I have noticed that logos has several mistakes everywhere. (For example, it gave the gloss "altar" for αλλοιοω instead of "alter" for me one time. This was surely just a typo, but I have had cases where it was just wrong in the gloss or information given.)
So, I've come across several words that have really been enigmatic for me when viewed side by side. I'm just asking for anyone's insight or guidance here for how to better understand these words. I'm also kind of asking for confirmation on the first pair. These are all words that I have checked for on BDAG, NA28 Lexicon, and occasionally Liddell-Scott. I'm just focusing on the difference (however subtle) between the words, and not necessarily the entire semantic range of each word individually, unless that helps.
καιρος vs κρονος vs ωρα The former is a defined period of time and the middle is an undefined period of time? The latter could be either?
γινωσκω vs οιδα
αιτεω vs ἐρωτάω
ἀνάκειμαι vs ἀναπίπτω
γεμίζω vs ἐμπίμπλημι vs πληρόω
πονηρός vs κακος vs ἀδικία
οὐδέπω vs οὔπω vs οὐκέτι
ποῦ vs πόθεν vs ὅπου
φημί vs μηνύω
καθως vs ουτως
κρυπτός vs λάθρᾳ
κλαίω vs δακρύω
δεῦρο vs ερχομαι
οδε vs ουτος
πληθυνω vs αυξανω
I have more words I need to add to this list. So i'm just wondering if I can update this thread with more words as I come across them?
I greatly appreciate anyone's comments here.