ἀριστερός

Ancient Greek

Etymology

From ἄριστος (áristos, best) + -τερος (-teros, contrastive suffix). According to Chantraine, the suffix -τερος serves to differentiate and create a euphemistic contrast with ἄριστος; an unusual formation. The latter is taken to indicate on the right side in this case, the left side being its literal and metaphorical opposite.

Pronunciation

 

Adjective

ἀριστερός (aristerós) m (feminine ἀριστερά, neuter ἀριστερόν); first/second declension

  1. (euphemistic) left (opposite of right)
  2. ominous, ill boding
  3. clumsy, awkward (compare French gauche)

Inflection

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • (left): δεξιός (dexiós), δεξιτερός (dexiterós)

References

This article is issued from Wiktionary. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.