[Meaning] humans. [sc. So called] from having a divided [memerisme/nhn] vocality [o)/pa], i.e. voice.[1]
The nominative [singular is] merops.[2]
*me/ropes, oi( a)/nqrwpoi. para\ to\ memerisme/nhn e)/xein th\n o)/pa, h)/toi th\n fwnh/n. h( eu)qei=a o( *me/roy.
The headword is an epic/poetic noun generally found, as here, in the plural; see LSJ s.v., which differentiates the bird
Merops apiaster (bee-eater). See further below, n. 2.
[1] That is, "articulate". A common derivation, occurring in
Hesychius (mu886),
Photius (mu289 Theodoridis), the
scholia to
Homer,
Iliad 18.288, and the
scholia to
Oppian,
Halieutica 1.87. The derivation is implausible; Frisk rejects it, but cannot select one of the "numerous hypotheses" suggested in the literature. The word occurs as an epithet of words for humans like
a)/nqrwpos and
broto/s, e.g. in
Homer,
Iliad 1.250, 2.285. See also
sigma 254.
[2] Besides the bird (see above), attested as a character in mythology (Priam's first father-in-law) and as the title of a lost play by
Euripides.
David Whitehead (augmented notes and keywords; tweaks and cosmetics) on 1 June 2009@03:55:04.
David Whitehead (tweaking) on 16 May 2013@06:46:33.
Catharine Roth (tweaked translation, cross-reference) on 6 February 2022@00:37:46.
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