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Synizesis

Allied to contraction is Synizesis (Greek “συνίζησις”, ‘settling together’). This occurs when two neighboring vowels, regularly pronounced separately, must be pronounced as one syllable, to suit the meter. E. g. A 1, “-εω” (of “Πηληιάδεω”) must be pronounced as one syllable (but cf. § 68). So too A 15, “-έῳ” (of “χρυ_σέῳ”). A 18, “θεοί”. A 131, “δὴ οὕτως”. A 340, “δὴ αὖτε”. A 540, “δὴ αὖ”. For the last three examples the MSS. read, respectively, “δ᾽ οὕτως, δ᾽ αὖτε, δ᾽ αὖ”, readings which perhaps had better be retained, if “δ᾽”=“δέ”=“δή” § 31).

Selections from Homer's Iliad, with an introduction, notes, a short Homeric grammar, and a vocabulary. Allen Rogers Benner. New York. Irvington Publishers, Inc. 1903.

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