αἰνέω

Alternative forms

• αἰνῶ (ainô) — Attic
• αἴνημῐ (aínēmĭ) — Aeolic
• αἰνίζομαι (ainízomai)

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

Verb

αἰνέω • (ainéō) (poetic, Ionic)

1. (transitive) to tell of, speak of
   • 458 BCE, Aeschylus, Agamemnon 1481:

     ἦ μέγαν οἰκονόμον δαίμονα καὶ βαρύμηνιν αἰνεῖς

     ê mégan oikonómon daímona kaì barúmēnin aineîs

     Truly you speak of a mighty fiend, haunting the house, and heavy in his wrath

   • 458 BCE, Aeschylus, The Libation Bearers 192:

     ἐγὼ δ’ ὅπως μὲν ἄντικρυς τάδ’ αἰνέσω

     egṑ d’ hópōs mèn ántikrus tád’ ainésō

     But how will I speak of this outright?

   1. (transitive) to praise, approve
      • 800 BCE – 600 BCE, Homer, Iliad 10.249:

        ‘Τυδεΐδη μήτ’ ἄρ με μάλ’ αἴνεε μῆτέ τι νείκει

        ‘Tudeḯdē mḗt’ ár me mál’ aínee mêté ti neíkei

        Son of Tydeus, praise me not over-much, neither blame me in aught

      • 460 BCE – 420 BCE, Herodotus, Histories 5.102.3:

        ὑπὸ Σιμωνίδεω τοῦ Κηίου πολλὰ αἰνεθέντα

        hupò Simōnídeō toû Kēíou pollà ainethénta

        greatly praised by Simonides of Ceos

      1. (Christianity, transitive) to praise, glorify
         • New Testament, Revelation 19:5:

           Αἰνεῖτε τῷ θεῷ ἡμῶν, πάντες οἱ δοῦλοι αὐτοῦ

           Aineîte tôi theôi hēmôn, pántes hoi doûloi autoû

           Give praise to our god, all you his servants

   2. (transitive) to approve, advise, recommend
      • 800 BCE – 600 BCE, Homer, Odyssey 16.403:

        εἰ μέν κ’ αἰνήσωσι Διὸς μεγάλοιο θέμιστες

        ei mén k’ ainḗsōsi Diòs megáloio thémistes

        if the oracles of great Zeus approve

      • 458 BCE, Aeschylus, The Libation Bearers 555:

        αἰνῶ δὲ κρύπτειν τάσδε συνθήκας ἐμάς

        ainô dè krúptein tásde sunthḗkas emás

        I recommend her to keep this pact with me concealed

   3. (transitive) to promise or vow