[B-Greek] Parmenides, MONOGENHS and Buck’s Reverse Index of Greek Nouns and Adjectives

Blue Meeksbay bluemeeksbay at yahoo.com
Tue May 10 18:47:34 EDT 2011


I recently was reading an article in *The Classical Quarterly*, (John R. Wilson, 
"Parmenides, B 8. 4," The Classical Quarterly, New Series, Vol. 20, No. 1. (May, 
1970), pp. 32-34.), concerning the word MONOGENHS and came across the following 
quote:
 
*Proponents of the meaning ‘sui generis’ point to the derivation of the – 
γενηςsuffix from γενος.  But a glance at Buck’s reverse Index (pp. 723-4) shows 
that in the vast majority of cases the suffix –γενης = ‘begotten.’ Before Plato, 
only in συγγενης, ομογενης, and αγενης (in the sense of ‘ignoble) can the – 
γενηςsuffix have the meaning ‘kin’ = γενος.*
 
I am sure the reference is accurate, but I always like to check sources whenever 
possible. Unfortunately, I do not have a copy of Carl D. Buck’s *Reverse Index 
of Greek Nouns and Adjectives*.  I checked online to see if I could purchase 
one, but they were selling for $150-$200 dollars!  I was wondering if anyone on 
the list might have a copy of this book and, assuming one has the time, might 
check to see if the quote above is an accurate assessment of what Buck writes. 

 
I will paste the same quote below converted into B Greek.
 
*Proponents of the meaning ‘sui generis’ point to the derivation of the – GENHS 
suffix from GENOS.  But a glance at Buck’s reverse Index (pp. 723-4) shows that 
in the vast majority of cases the suffix –GENHS  = ‘begotten.’ Before Plato, 
only in SUGGENHS, OMOGENHS, andAGENHS (in the sense of ‘ignoble) can the – GENHS 
suffix have the meaning ‘kin’ = GENOS.*
 
Any help would be appreciated.
 
Sincerely,
Blue Harris


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