ἀγαπάω

See also: αγαπάω

Ancient Greek

FWOTD – 9 October 2017

Alternative forms

  • ἀγαπέω (agapéō) Doric

Etymology

Either a Semitic borrowing, compare Hebrew אָהַב (ʾaháḇ) and Arabic أَحَبَّ (ʾaḥabba) – the meaning fits very well –, or from an unknown third, considering a rarer Hebrew verb אגב (ʾḡb̄), which is apt to mark the Hebrew as borrowed as well.

Pronunciation

 

Verb

ᾰ̓γᾰπᾰ́ω • (agapáō)

(chiefly Attic, Doric, Koine)
  1. (Tragic Greek) to show affection for the dead
  2. (transitive) to treat with affection, be fond of, love
  3. (passive) to be beloved
  4. (transitive, rare) to caress, pet
  5. (transitive, intransitive) I am pleased with, take pleasure in, like
    • 800 BCE – 600 BCE, Homer, Odyssey 21.289–290
      οὐκ ἀγαπᾷς [] μεθ' ἡμῖν δαίνυσαι
      ouk agapâis [] meth' hēmîn daínusai
      Aren't you pleased to dine with us?
  6. (New Testament, transitive) to show brotherly love or agape to

Inflection

Synonyms

Derived terms

  • ἀγαπάζω (agapázō)

Descendants

Further reading

References

  • Levin, Saul (1995) Semitic and Indo-European. The Principal Etymologies. With Observations on Afro-Asiatic (Current Issues in Linguistic Theory; 129), volume I, Amsterdam and Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing, page 292
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