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Callimachus · Iambs §19.1

Double Meaning of the Word Alibas: Dead and Vinegar

Passage 20 of 22 · Greek

Summary

A commentary and citation concerning the double meaning of the rare word 'alibas,' which can mean both 'the dead' and 'vinegar.'

§19.1ἔβηξαν οἷον ἀλίβαντα πίνοντες.
They coughed as if drinking alibas.
"ὁ νεκρός. . . .
"The dead....
σημαίνει δὲ καὶ ὄξος ὡς παρὰ Καλλιμάχῳ· " ἔβηξαν κτλ.
But it also means vinegar, as in Callimachus;" They coughed, etc.

Notes

  1. 19.1ἀλίβαντα — The noun ἀλίβας (accusative ἀλίβαντα) usually means 'the dead,' but as shown by the quotation and the reference to Callimachus, it also means 'vinegar.' It is cited here to explain this polysemy.
  2. 19.1οἷον — Used with the present participle πίνοντες to express a figurative or hypothetical comparison, meaning 'as if drinking.'

Cite this passage

Callimachus, Iambs §19.1. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0533.tlg007.humanitext-grc1:19.1

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