-άκης
Greek
Alternative forms
- -άκις (-ákis)
Etymology
From Byzantine Greek -άκης (-ákēs), or “more correct -άκις (-ákis)[1]” from -άκ(ι) < -άκ(ιν) < -άκ(ιον), diminutive suffix (for neuters) + -ης suffix for masculine[2].
Suffix
-άκης • (-ákis) m
- Gives a diminutive form of a masculine first name:
- An ending for family names, chiefly Cretan, also of diminutive derivation (See Usage Notes)
- Θεόδωρος (Theódoros) + -άκης (-ákis) → Θεοδωράκης (Theodorákis)
- η οικογένεια των Βροντάκηδων ― i oikogéneia ton Vrontákidon ― the Vrondakides family
- (rare, derogatory)
Usage notes
Family names suffixed -άκης are attested in byzantine times: e.g. 'Ραβδοκανάκης' (Rabdokanákis) c.1250[3]. A systematic registering of surnames in Greece started in the 19th century. -άκης was frequent in Mani (where more often it became -άκος) and chiefly in the island of Crete (where also the augmentative -ακας is found in contrast to the diminutive -άκης).
Which of the two alternative spellings (-άκις or -άκης) is more correct, is still debated[4]. Currently (2010s), some people insist on -άκις, although -άκης is much more frequent. Notable -άκης: the writer Nikos Kazantzakis, the composer Mikis Theodorakis. Notable -άκις: the composer Manos Hatzidakis, the father of greek linguistics Georgios Hatzidakis.
Declension
Derived terms
References
- Babiniotis, Georgios (2002) Λεξικό της νέας ελληνικής γλώσσας [Modern Greek Dictionary] (in Greek), 2nd edition, Athens: Lexicology Centre
- -άκης in Λεξικό της κοινής νεοελληνικής [Dictionary of Standard Modern Greek], 1998, by the "Triantafyllidis" Foundation.
- Laiou, Angeliki E. (1977) Peasant society in the late Byzantine Empire, Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, →ISBN
- Babiniotis is a champion of -άκις (Babiniotis, Georgios (2002) Λεξικό της νέας ελληνικής γλώσσας [Modern Greek Dictionary] (in Greek), 2nd edition, Athens: Lexicology Centre)