Words of the Odyssey 1732 Studios

μ

Words of the Odyssey · 262 headwords

Each word with its meanings, its forms, and the lines it stands in.

μά

by once

μὰ

μά + accusative is the oath particle: 'by Zeus'.

μάκαρ

blessed; happiest; of the blessed gods 24 times

μάκαρες, μακάρεσσι, μακάρων, μακάρτατος, μακάρεσσιν

dative plural masculine noun; vocative plural masculine noun; nominative plural masculine noun

μάκαρες normally describes the gods; applying it to mortal parents is high praise/hyperbole.

μάλα

very; very much; quite 236 times

μάλα, μάλ, μάλιστα, μὰλα, μαλ

adverb; superlative adverb

μάλα δή together intensify 'truly indeed' — Antinous's sarcastic emphasis mocking Telemachus's new boldness.

Μάλεια

of Malea; Cape Malea; Malea 4 times

Μαλειάων, Μάλειαν, Μαλειῶν

genitive plural feminine noun; accusative singular feminine noun

Μάλεια, a real and notoriously dangerous headland at the southern tip of the Peloponnese.

μάντις

seer; a seer; seer, prophet 10 times

μάντις, μάντηος, μάντιν

nominative singular masculine noun; genitive singular masculine noun; accusative singular masculine noun

Predicate noun with no copula stated yet — Homer often lets εἰμί stand at line's end.

μάργος

madman; greedy; mad 3 times

μάργε, μάργῃ, μάργην

vocative singular masculine adjective; dative singular feminine adjective; accusative singular feminine adjective

μάργην, predicate adjective: 'made you crazy/reckless'

μάρναμαι

fighting; we fought; to fight 11 times

μαρναμένοισι, μαρνάμενον, μαρνάμεθ, μάρνασθαι, μαρναίμεθα, μαρναμένους, ἐμάρναο, μαρνάμενοι and 2 more

imperfect medio-passive indicative, 1st plural verb; present medio-passive participle, dative plural masculine; present medio-passive participle, accusative singular masculine

middle participle μάρναμαι: fighting as one's own activity, not done to you

μάρπτω

seizing; seized; had taken hold 6 times

μάρψας, ἔμαρπτε, ἔμαρψεν

aorist active participle, nominative singular masculine; imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verb; aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verb

aorist participle μάρψας: the seizing precedes the main verb ὡπλίσσατο ('made ready')

Μάρων

Maron once

Μάρων

Maron, priest of Apollo at Ismaros — his potent wine later proves crucial to blinding the Cyclops.

μάχη

fighting; battle; battles 3 times

μάχῃ, μάχην, μάχαι

dative singular feminine noun; accusative singular feminine noun; nominative plural feminine noun

μάχην ἐμάχοντο, a cognate accusative 'fought a fight', a common Homeric intensifying construction.

μάχομαι

to fight; fighting; fought 23 times

μάχεσθαι, μάχοιτο, ἐμάχοντο, μαχοίμην, μαχήσασθαι, μάχοντο, μαχεούμενον, μαχειόμενος and 4 more

present medio-passive infinitive; present medio-passive optative, 3rd singular verb; imperfect medio-passive indicative, 3rd plural verb

Optative μαχοίμην expresses purpose after ἵνα: 'so that I might fight.'

μᾶλλον

more; the more; all the more 33 times

μᾶλλον, μᾶλλόν

μᾶλλον intensifies κηρόθι χολώσατο — the taunt backfires, escalating rather than shaming the Cyclops.

μαίνομαι

you rage; rages; you rave 4 times

μαίνεαι, μαίνεται, μαίνεσθε, μαινόμενος

present medio-passive indicative, 2nd singular verb; present medio-passive indicative, 3rd singular verb; imperfect medio-passive indicative, 2nd plural verb

μαίνομαι participle, vivid 'in madness' picking up the ἀάω theme

μακρός

long; tall; high 44 times

μακρὰ, μακρὸν, μακρήν, μακρά, μακρὴν, μακρῷ, μακράς, μακρῇσιν and 8 more

accusative plural neuter adjective; accusative singular masculine adjective; accusative singular feminine adjective

κίων is treated as feminine here though later Greek makes it masculine/feminine variably — a good spot to flag Homeric gender flexibility.

μαλακός

soft; softly; gentle, soft 20 times

μαλακὸν, μαλακοῖς, μαλακοῖσι, μαλακοῖσιν, μαλακῶς, μαλακῆς, μαλακοῦ, μαλακοὶ and 4 more

dative plural neuter adjective; accusative singular masculine adjective; adverb

'Soft bed' is bitter irony — Melanthios is actually bound and hung from a pillar, the opposite of comfort.

μανθάνω

has learned; you have learned twice

ἔμμαθεν, ἔμμαθες

aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verb; aorist active indicative, 2nd singular verb

ἔμμαθεν is an epic doubled-consonant form (μμ) of ἔμαθεν, from μανθάνω 'learn'.

μαντεύομαι

will prophesy; I prophesy; prophesy 10 times

μαντεύσομαι, μαντεύεσθαι, μαντεύομαι, μαντεύεο, μαντευόμενος, μαντεύετο, μαντεύσατο

future medio-passive indicative, 1st singular verb; present medio-passive infinitive; present medio-passive indicative, 1st singular verb

μαντεύσομαι is a middle-voice future — the speaker is not literally a seer (she denies it in l.202) but 'divines' from intuition, hence the middle sense of doing it for/within herself.

μαρμαρυγή

the twinkling once

μαρμαρυγὰς

μαρμαρυγή 'flashing/twinkling', an onomatopoeic-feeling word for rapid glinting motion

μαστός

the breast; breast; the nipple 3 times

μαζῷ, μαζόν

dative singular masculine noun; accusative singular masculine noun

anatomical precision typical of Homeric battle narrative — pinpoints the fatal wound location.

ματία

folly once

ματίῃ

ματίῃ 'foolishness' — ἡμετέρῃ ('our own') is inclusive: the narrator Odysseus shares the blame with the crew, not just the crew alone, and not fate.

μαχητής

a fighter; warlike 3 times

μαχητής, μαχητήν, μαχητὰς

nominative singular masculine noun; accusative singular masculine noun; accusative plural masculine noun

μαχητός

fightable once

μαχητόν

μαχητός 'to be fought' — negated: 'not even to be fought,' i.e. resistance is futile.

μέγαρον

halls; the halls; the hall 242 times

μεγάροισιν, μεγάροισι, μεγάροιο, μεγάροις, μεγάρῳ, μέγαρον, μεγάρων, μέγαρα and 4 more

dative plural neuter noun; genitive singular neuter noun; dative singular neuter noun

μέγαρον, 'great hall,' is the standard Homeric word for the palace's main hall, not exclusively a 'men's chamber.'

μέγας

great; greatly; greater 269 times

μέγα, μέγαν, μέγ, μέγας, μεγάλοιο, μεῖζον, μεγάλου, μεγάλ and 17 more

accusative singular neuter adjective; accusative singular masculine adjective; nominative singular neuter adjective

μέγιστον, superlative of μέγας — Homer marks Polyphemus as strongest even among monstrous Cyclopes.

μέδομαι

turns her mind to; we may turn our thoughts; keep mind on 5 times

μέδηται, μέδηαι, μεδώμεθα

present medio-passive subjunctive, 3rd singular verb; present medio-passive subjunctive, 2nd singular verb; present medio-passive subjunctive, 1st plural verb

μέδομαι + genitive, 'take thought/care for' — governs κοίτου, 'sleep', as its object of concern.

μέδων

counselors; lord 11 times

μέδοντες, μέδοντος, μέδοντας

vocative plural masculine noun; nominative plural masculine noun; genitive singular masculine noun

ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντες 'leaders and counselors' is a fixed vocative formula addressing an assembled council.

Μέδων

Medon 10 times

Μέδων, Μέδοντα

nominative singular masculine noun; accusative singular masculine noun

Medon is the loyal herald of Odysseus's household, sympathetic to Telemachus despite serving the suitors.

μέλαθρον

rafter; from the roof-beam; roof 5 times

μέλαθρον, μελαθρόφιν, μελάθρου, μελάθρῳ

accusative singular neuter noun; dative plural neuter noun; genitive singular neuter noun

μέλας

black; dark; dark, black 82 times

μέλαιναν, μελαίνῃ, μέλαν, μέλανος, μελαίνης, μέλαινα, μέλας, μελαινάων and 1 more

accusative singular feminine adjective; dative singular feminine adjective; accusative singular neuter adjective

formulaic epithet 'black ship,' common Homeric ship-formula

μέλλω

was destined; was about to; was about 40 times

ἔμελλον, ἔμελλεν, ἔμελλε, μέλλεν, ἔμελλες, μέλλεις, ἔμελλ, μέλλετ and 4 more

imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verb; imperfect active indicative, 3rd plural verb; imperfect active indicative, 1st singular verb

μέλλω + infinitive: 'was about to/going to' — imperfect sets up an interrupted expectation

μέλος

limbs; a limb; on his limbs 14 times

μελέων, μέλεσσι, μέλε, μέλεσσιν, μελέεσσι

genitive plural neuter noun; dative plural neuter noun; accusative plural neuter noun

μέλπω

made music; sang twice

ἐμέλπετο

μέλπω of a bard's performance: singing accompanied by dance/instrument, not just 'sang'.

μέλω

will be a concern; let be a care; is a care 27 times

μελήσει, μελόντων, μελέτω, μέλει, μέμηλεν, μεμήλει, μέλε, μέλω and 6 more

future active indicative, 3rd singular verb; present active imperative, 3rd plural verb; present active imperative, 3rd singular verb

μεμήλει, pluperfect of μέλω ('it had been a care to...'), a common Homeric idiom for what occupies someone's thoughts.

μέμαα

eager; are eager; longing 21 times

μεμάασιν, μεμαῶτα, μεμαῶτες, μεμάασι, μεμαώς, μεμαυῖα, μεμαυῖαν, μέμασαν and 2 more

perfect active indicative, 3rd plural verb; perfect active participle, accusative singular masculine; perfect active participle, nominative singular masculine

Perfect participle μεμαῶτα ('eager, straining') from defective μέμαα, used only in perfect/pluperfect stems.

μέμονα

is eager twice

μέμονέν

Perfect μέμονα with present force, 'is eager/set on,' common in Homer.

μένος

strength; force; fury 47 times

μένος, μένεϊ, μένε, μένεος

nominative singular neuter noun; accusative singular neuter noun; dative singular neuter noun

Accusative of respect with ἄσχετε: "unrestrained IN spirit," not a direct object.

Μέντης

Mentes 3 times

Μέντης, Μέντῃ

nominative singular masculine noun; dative singular masculine noun

Athena disguises herself as Mentes, a concrete named guise typical of divine epiphanies in Homer.

Μέντωρ

Mentor; to Mentor; Mentor (voc.) 19 times

Μέντορι, Μέντωρ, Μέντορ, Μέντορα

dative singular masculine noun; nominative singular masculine noun; vocative singular masculine noun

proper name; object of the disjunction 'either Mentor or a god'

μένω

stay; staying; stayed 78 times

μένον, μένοντες, μεῖναι, μένειν, μέν, μένει, ἐμείναμεν, μένομεν and 22 more

present active participle, nominative plural masculine; imperfect active indicative, 3rd plural verb; present active infinitive

imperative μένε elided to μέν᾽ before vowel

μέροψ

of mortal; mortal twice

μερόπων

μέροψ 'articulate-voiced'—an ancient epithet for humans as speech-users

μέσαυλος

courtyard, fold once

μέσσαυλον

μέσαυλος: the enclosed yard of the Cyclops's cave, recalling Book 9.

μέσος

middle; the middle; in the midst 42 times

μέσον, μέσῳ, μέσσῳ, μέσσον, μέσσῃ, μέσῃ, μέσσην, μέσσους and 6 more

accusative singular neuter adjective; dative singular masculine adjective; dative singular feminine adjective

Predicate adjective 'through the middle of the neck', pinpointing the blow's location.

μέτειμι

I might remain; shall be; might dwell 4 times

μετείην, μετέσσομαι, μετείη

present active optative, 1st singular verb; future middle indicative, 1st singular verb; present active optative, 3rd singular verb

Balanced pair of optatives (τλαίην…μετείην): the deliberative alternative to suicide — endure and live.

μέτρον

measure; measures; the stages 9 times

μέτρον, μέτρα

accusative singular neuter noun; accusative plural neuter noun; nominative plural neuter noun

ἥβης μέτρον 'the measure of youth' — a formulaic phrase for reaching full young-adult stature.

μεγάθυμος

great-hearted 14 times

μεγαθύμου, μεγάθυμον, μεγαθύμους, μεγαθύμων, μεγάθυμοι

genitive singular masculine adjective; accusative singular masculine adjective; accusative singular feminine adjective

μεγάθυμος, a standard heroic epithet built from μέγας + θυμός ('great spirit').

μεγαίρω

begrudge; grudge, begrudge; I begrudge 3 times

μεγαίρω, μεγήρῃς

present active indicative, 1st singular verb; aorist active subjunctive, 2nd singular verb

μεγαλήτωρ

great-hearted 29 times

μεγαλήτορος, μεγαλήτορα, μεγαλήτορι, μεγαλήτορες

genitive singular masculine adjective; accusative singular masculine noun; accusative singular masculine adjective

μεγαλήτωρ, a formulaic heroic epithet regularly paired with names like Telemachus

μεγαλωστί

mightily once

μεγαλωστί

μεγαλωστί, rare adverb built on μέγας, only used of Achilles' corpse — 'in your vast bulk'

μεθαιρέω

would catch once

μεθέλεσκε

Another iterative -σκε form (μεθέλεσκε), pairing with ῥίπτασκε to show the repeated toss-and-catch rhythm.

μεθέπω

do you visit; chasing after twice

μεθέπεις, μετασπὼν

present active indicative, 2nd singular verb; aorist active participle, nominative singular masculine

aorist participle μετασπών, from μεθέπω 'go after', vivid for the swineherd's dash

μεθίημι

will let go; let go; give up 8 times

μεθήσει, μεθίεις, μεθῆκεν, μεθείη, μεθησέμεναί, μεθῆκε, μέθιεν

future active indicative, 3rd singular verb; aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verb; imperfect active indicative, 2nd singular verb

Optative μεθείη in this εἰ-clause is a potential ('should/would') construction, not a wish — Odysseus is imagining what might happen if cold and weariness overcome him, weighing it against the other risk (wild beasts).

μείλιγμα

treats once

μειλίγματα

μειλίγματα 'soothing gifts/tidbits' — the master's scraps that keep dogs friendly, source of the simile's logic.

μείλιχος

gracious thing once

μείλιχον

μείλιχος 'gentle, kindly' — nothing kind comes from her now

μείρομαι

it was fated; has won a share; has a share 4 times

εἵμαρτο, ἔμμορε

pluperfect medio-passive indicative, 3rd singular verb; perfect active indicative, 3rd singular verb

Pluperfect of μείρομαι used impersonally: 'it had been allotted' = fate had decreed.

μείς

month; months; of the months 12 times

μῆνα, μηνῶν, μῆνές, μηνός, μῆνας, μηνὶ

accusative singular masculine noun; genitive plural masculine noun; nominative plural masculine noun

accusative of duration of time, 'for a whole month'

μειλίχιος

gentle; soothing; winning 17 times

μειλιχίοις, μειλιχίοισι, μειλίχιον, μειλιχίῃ, μειλιχίοισιν

dative plural neuter adjective; accusative singular masculine adjective; dative singular feminine adjective

μειλίχιος 'honey-sweet' modifying αἰδοῖ: gentle, endearing modesty

Μελάνθιος

Melanthius; Melanthios 11 times

Μελάνθιος, Μελάνθιον, Μελάνθιε

nominative singular masculine noun; accusative singular masculine noun; vocative singular masculine noun

μελάνυδρος

dark-watered once

μελάνυδρον

μελάνυδρος compound epithet, poetic color for deep spring water

μελαγχροιής

dark-skinned once

μελαγχροιὴς

μελαγχροιής, a rare compound (μέλας + χρώς); the same phrase ἂψ δὲ μελαγχροιὴς γένετο recurs at Od. 13.431 for the reverse (aging) transformation, so it is a reused formula, not coined for this scene.

Μελανθεύς

Melanthius; Melantheus 5 times

Μελανθεύς, Μελανθεὺς, Μελανθεῦ

nominative singular masculine noun; vocative singular masculine noun

the treacherous goatherd, foil to loyal Eumaeus; shares the μελαν- ('black') root with his sister Melantho, though the rest of the name's etymology is uncertain — the claim that it means 'black-flower' is not established.

Μελανθώ

Melantho twice

Μελανθὼ

the disloyal maidservant, introduced here by name as Odysseus's chief taunter in disguise scenes.

μελειστί

limb from limb twice

μελεϊστὶ

μελειστί, 'limb by limb,' a grim adverb unique to butchery scenes

μελία

ash spear; with ashen spears 3 times

μελίη, μελίῃσιν

nominative singular feminine noun; dative plural feminine noun

μελίη, 'ash-tree spear', names the weapon by its wood — a common Homeric metonymy also seen with χαλκός for 'bronze blade'.

μελίγηρυς

honey-sweet once

μελίγηρυν

μελίγηρυν 'honey-voiced' is the Sirens' own seductive self-description—rare compound underscoring their allure.

μελίκρητον

with honey-mix; with honey-milk twice

μελικρήτῳ

μελίκρητον: honey blended with milk, the ritual first libation for the dead.

μελίφρων

honey-sweet; honey-hearted 5 times

μελίφρονα, μελίφρονος

accusative singular masculine noun; genitive singular masculine adjective

μελίφρων 'honey-minded/sweet', a poetic compound epithet describing the wine's sweetness.

μελιηδής

honey-sweet 13 times

μελιηδέα, μελιηδέος, μελιηδὴς, μελιηδής

accusative singular masculine adjective; nominative singular masculine adjective; genitive singular masculine adjective

μελιηδής, a stock epic epithet ('honey-pleasing') applied to food and here to grass.

Μενέλαος

Menelaus; of Menelaus; Menelaos 58 times

Μενέλαος, Μενέλαε, Μενελάου, Μενέλαον, Μενελάῳ

nominative singular masculine noun; vocative singular masculine noun; genitive singular masculine noun

μενεαίνω

longing; eager; raged, was furious 13 times

μενεαίνων, μενέαινεν, μενεήναμεν, μενέαινε, μενεαίνω, μενεαίνεις, μενεαίνετε

present active participle, nominative singular masculine; imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verb; aorist active indicative, 1st plural verb

μενεαίνω + infinitive = strong yearning 'to' do something, here to go home.

μενεπτόλεμος

steadfast in battle once

μενεπτόλεμος

μενεπτόλεμος, a compound heroic epithet ('battle-abiding') marking Thrasymedes as a warrior

μενοεικής

heart-satisfying; pleasing; abundant 9 times

μενοεικέα, μενοεικέ, μενοεικές

accusative singular feminine adjective; accusative plural neuter adjective; accusative singular masculine adjective

μενοεικής lit. 'pleasing to the heart', epic epithet for appetizing food

μενοινάω

intends; you long for; was eager 15 times

μενοινᾷς, μενοινᾷ, μενοίνα, μενοίνησεν, μενοινήσει

present active indicative, 3rd singular verb; present active indicative, 2nd singular verb; imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verb

μενοινήσει(ε), aorist optative expressing a hypothetical wish/intent, 'were to yearn'.

Μερμερίδης

son of Mermerus once

Μερμερίδαο

Patronymic in -ίδης: 'son of Mermerus.'

μερμηρίζω

pondered; pondering; I pondered 30 times

μερμήριξε, μερμηρίζων, μερμηρίζει, μερμήριξεν, μερμήριξα, μερμηρίξας, μερμήριζε, μερμηρίξαι and 3 more

aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verb; present active participle, nominative singular masculine; present active indicative, 3rd singular verb

μερμηρίζων, a present participle, frames Telemachus's inner deliberation as ongoing while he walks to bed.

μεσηγύ

between; in between 6 times

μεσσηγύς, μεσσηγὺς

preposition; adverb

μεσσηγύς 'in the meantime/along the way' — refers to the journey home, between departure and arrival.

μεσόδμη

mast-box; the mast-box; crossbeams 4 times

μεσόδμης, μεσόδμαι

genitive singular feminine noun; nominative plural feminine noun

μεσόδμη, the socket/box amidships that held the mast upright.

μετά

among; after; in 162 times

μετὰ, μετ, μεθ, μέτα, μετά

μετά + accusative here means "next after/second only to" — ranking usage, not simple location.

μετάφημι

spoke; spoke among; spoke among them 9 times

μετέφη

μετάφημι, 'speak among/to a group' — compound found mainly in formulaic speech-introductions

μεταβαίνω

change theme once

μετάβηθι

μετάβηθι 'step over/change', imperative asking the bard to shift to a new episode

μεταδαίνυμαι

will feast once

μεταδαίσεται

Future middle μεταδαίσεται: he will share the feast as his own privilege, won by the fight.

μεταίσσω

rushing at; rushing at them twice

μεταΐξας

μεταΐξας, aorist participle of μεταίσσω 'dart after' - vivid verb of sudden violent motion.

μετακιάθω

had gone off to once

μετεκίαθε

μετακιάθω, a rare epic verb of motion 'go among/visit,' used almost exclusively of gods traveling to distant peoples.

μεταλλάω

to inquire; inquire; ask about 20 times

μεταλλᾷς, μεταλλῆσαι, μεταλλᾷ, μεταλλῶσιν, μετάλλα, μεταλλῆσαί

present active indicative, 2nd singular verb; aorist active infinitive; present active indicative, 3rd singular verb

μεταλλᾷς pairs with ἀνείρεαι as near-synonyms for 'ask/inquire' - a Homeric doubling for emphasis.

μεταμίγνυμι

mixed in; we will mix together twice

μετέμισγον, μεταμίξομεν

imperfect active indicative, 3rd plural verb; future active indicative, 1st plural verb

μετα- prefix 'in among': they added torches to the fires already burning.

μεταμώνιος

vain, wasted; vain, idle things; nonsense, empty words 5 times

μεταμώνια

nominative plural neuter adjective; accusative plural neuter adjective

μεταμώνια, "thrown to the winds": a vivid metaphor for wasted effort/thread.

μετανίσσομαι

moved along once

μετενίσσετο

μετανίσσομαι, epic verb 'pass on/move'; imperfect for the sun's steady motion.

μεταπρέπω

stood out; stands out; were finest 5 times

μεταπρέπει, μετέπρεπε, μετέπρεπον, μετέρεπον

present active indicative, 3rd singular verb; imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verb; imperfect active indicative, 3rd plural verb

μεταπρέπω 'be conspicuous among' — completes the simile begun with Artemis, applying the same idea to Nausicaa.

μετατίθημι

raised, caused once

μετέθηκε

μετέθηκε: literally 'set among/changed', here 'stirred up' such a commotion.

μεταυδάω

spoke; spoke among; spoke out, addressed 14 times

μετηύδα, μετηύδων

imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verb; imperfect active indicative, 1st singular verb

μεταυδάω, a compound speaking-verb used almost only in this formulaic 'spoke among them' line.

μεταφωνέω

spoke out; I answered; he spoke out 4 times

μετεφώνεε, μετεφώνεον, μετεφώνεεν, μετεφώνει

imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verb; imperfect active indicative, 1st singular verb

μετέπειτα

afterward; then afterward 4 times

μετέπειτα

πρῶτα μέν...μετέπειτα δέ pairs two stages of the journey, rowing then a fair wind.

μετέρχομαι

falling among, joining; might come among them; I seek, pursue 6 times

μετελθών, μετέλθοι, μετέρχομαι, μετέρχεται, μετερχόμενος

aorist active participle, nominative singular masculine; aorist active optative, 3rd singular verb; present medio-passive indicative, 1st singular verb

Optative μετέλθοι in a generalizing relative clause ('whoever might come') - the mood marks an indefinite, hypothetical visitor.

μετεῖπον

spoke among; spoke; spoke among them 39 times

μετέειπε, μετέειπεν, μετέειφ, μετέειπον

aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verb; aorist active indicative, 1st singular verb

μετεῖπον 'spoke among/in the midst of' — formulaic pairing with ἀγορήσατο introducing a public speech.

μετοίχομαι

went; went after; going along 3 times

μετῴχετο, μετοιχομένη

imperfect medio-passive indicative, 3rd singular verb; present medio-passive participle, nominative singular feminine

μετοίχομαι, 'go among/through', used of a god moving through a city in disguise.

μετοχλίζω

could pry loose once

μετοχλίσσειεν

μετοχλίσσειεν: rare compound verb, 'lever/wrench away,' vivid for the bed's immovability

μήδομαι

devised; contrived; planned 22 times

μήδετο, ἐμήσατο, μήσατο, μήσατ, μήδεαι, μηδοίμην, μήδονθ, μήσεαι and 2 more

aorist middle indicative, 3rd singular verb; imperfect medio-passive indicative, 3rd singular verb; aorist indicative, 3rd singular verb

μηδοίμην, optative of wish paired with ἅν/ἅσσα, 'I would myself contrive' — modest, hypothetical self-reliance.

μήκιστος

in the end; tallest 3 times

μήκιστα, μηκίστους

accusative plural neuter adjective; accusative plural masculine adjective

μήκιστα, superlative of μακρός used adverbially, 'at the very longest/last' — how far will this go?

μήνιμα

cause of wrath once

μήνιμα

μήνιμα, rare noun from μῆνις 'wrath', the same root as the Iliad's opening word.

μήποτε

lest ever once

μήποτε

μήποτε + subjunctive ὀλέσσῃς forms a cautionary warning — 'beware lest you ever lose.'

μήτηρ

mother; of my mother; my mother 107 times

μήτηρ, μητρὸς, μητέρα, μῆτερ, μητέρι, μητέρ, μητρὶ, μητέρος and 3 more

nominative singular feminine noun; genitive singular feminine noun; accusative singular feminine noun

φίλη μήτηρ is the true subject held back for emphasis after the suitors are cleared of blame.

μῆδος

counsels; genitals; private parts 11 times

μήδεα, μήδε, μήδεά

accusative plural neuter noun; nominative plural neuter noun

μήδεα 'counsels, mind' is the direct object of ἔχοντα (accusative plural neuter), not a prepositional phrase — 'having a mind like the gods'', formulaic praise for Odysseus

μῆλον

sheep; flocks; of the flock 57 times

μῆλα, μήλων, μῆλ, μήλοισι, μῆλον, μήλῳ

accusative plural neuter noun; genitive plural neuter noun; nominative plural neuter noun

'μητέρι μήλων' is a fixed epithet-phrase for Pylos, praising its rich pastureland.

μῆρα

thigh-pieces; thighs; thigh-bones 4 times

μῆρ, μῆρα

accusative plural neuter noun; nominative plural neuter noun

μῆρα, the thigh-bones burned in sacrifice, a standard ritual term in Homer.

μῆτις

cunning; counsel; plan 15 times

μῆτιν, μῆτις, μήτι

accusative singular feminine noun; nominative singular feminine noun; dative singular feminine noun

μῆτις, Odysseus's signature quality—Athena assures Telemachus he has inherited his father's craft.

μῆχος

remedy; means twice

μῆχος

accusative singular neuter noun; nominative singular neuter noun

μῆχος, 'device/remedy' — sets up the following (cut-off) infinitive εὑρέμεναι, 'to find.'

μηκάομαι

bleated; bleating; bellowing 4 times

μακών, μέμηκον

aorist active participle, nominative singular masculine; imperfect active indicative, 3rd plural verb

μακών, aorist participle of μηκάομαι, the bleat/cry of the dying stag—a vivid sensory touch.

μηρός

thigh; thighs; my thigh 13 times

μηροῦ, μηρούς, μηρὼ, μηροὺς

genitive singular masculine noun; accusative plural masculine noun; accusative dual masculine noun

dual number μηρώ 'both thighs' — a distinct Greek form for exactly two, lost in English

μηρύομαι

furled once

μηρύσαντο

μηρύσαντο is middle voice: the crew furl the sail for their own use/benefit, a common Homeric nuance.

μητίομαι

to contrive; plotted; I could plan 3 times

μητίσασθαι, ἐμητίσαντο, μητισαίμην

aorist middle infinitive; aorist middle indicative, 3rd plural verb; aorist middle optative, 1st singular verb

Middle voice μητίομαι stresses the crew scheming for their own benefit.

μητιάω

devising; plotting 3 times

μητιόωσα, μητιόωντες

present active participle, nominative singular feminine; present active participle, nominative plural masculine

μητιόωντες, an epic uncontracted present participle of μητιάω ('devise/plot'), keeps the older open vowels for meter.

μηχανάομαι

contrive; devise; they plot 14 times

μηχανόωνται, μηχανάασθαι, μηχανόωντο, μηχανόῳτο, μηχανόωντας, μηχανάασθε

present medio-passive indicative, 3rd plural verb; present medio-passive infinitive; imperfect medio-passive indicative, 3rd plural verb

potential optative ἂν...μηχανόῳτο, 'could ever contrive' — Telemachus reasons no mortal skill explains the change.

μίγνυμι

lay with her; to mingle; lay with 38 times

μιγεῖσα, μεμιγμένον, ἐμισγόμεθ, μιγείη, μίγη, μίξεσθαι, ἐμίγη, μιγῆναι and 20 more

aorist passive indicative, 3rd singular verb; aorist passive participle, nominative singular feminine; imperfect medio-passive indicative, 1st plural verb

Aorist passive participle μιγεῖσα, 'having mingled with' — a common Homeric euphemism for sexual union.

μίμνω

stay; wait; to remain 18 times

μίμνετ, μίμνειν, μίμνετε, μίμνει, μίμνεις, μίμνω, μίμνῃ, μίμνοι and 5 more

present active imperative, 2nd plural verb; present active infinitive; imperfect active indicative, 1st plural verb

Imperative μίμνετε: Penelope's polite command holding off the suitors' pressure.

Μίνως

Minos; of Minos; Minos's 4 times

Μίνωος, Μίνωα, Μίνως

genitive singular masculine noun; accusative singular masculine noun; nominative singular masculine noun

Minos, legendary king of Crete, son of Zeus — grounds the fictional tale in famous myth.

μίσγω

used to consort once

ἐμισγέσκοντο

Iterative imperfect ἐμισγέσκοντο 'kept mingling/sleeping with' — habitual, damning detail.

μιγάζομαι

joined together once

μιγαζομένους

μιγάζομαι, an intensive/frequentative form of μίγνυμι, again euphemistic for lovemaking

μιλτοπάρῃος

red-cheeked once

μιλτοπάρῃοι

μιλτοπάρῃος, 'red-prowed/red-cheeked,' a stock Homeric epithet for painted ships.

μιμνήσκω

remembering; remember; to remember 49 times

μνῆσαι, μεμνημένος, μέμνηται, μνησώμεθα, μνήσατο, μεμνῆσθαι, μνήσασθαι, μνήσῃ and 25 more

perfect medio-passive participle, nominative singular masculine; perfect medio-passive indicative, 3rd singular verb; aorist middle subjunctive, 1st plural verb

Perfect participle μεμνημένη — the perfect stem gives an ongoing state, 'having in mind / ever remembering.'

μιν

him; her; it 311 times

μιν, μίν

accusative singular masculine pronoun; accusative singular feminine pronoun; accusative singular neuter pronoun

μιν, the enclitic Homeric 3rd-person pronoun, serves as the accusative subject of the infinitive ἀνάξασθαι (accusative-and-infinitive construction), matching its listed 'subject' role — not an object.

Μινύειος

Minyan once

Μινυείῳ

epithet locating the city among the Minyans, a Boeotian people.

μινύθω

dwindles; wastes away; shrivel 4 times

μινύθει, μινύθουσι, μινύθεσκον

present active indicative, 3rd singular verb; present active indicative, 3rd plural verb; imperfect active indicative, 3rd plural verb

μινύθεσκον, an iterative imperfect in -σκον: 'used to keep reducing,' repeated suitor feasting.

μινυνθάδιος

short-lived twice

μινυνθαδίω, μινυνθάδιοι

nominative dual masculine adjective; nominative plural masculine adjective

predicate adjective in the dual, foreshadowing the sons' early death despite their giant stature.

μιστύλλω

cut up; they cut up; chopped small 5 times

μίστυλλόν, μίστυλλέν

imperfect active indicative, 3rd plural verb; imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verb

The imperfect tense conveys the ongoing, piece-by-piece action of butchering the meat.

μνάομαι

are courting; woos; let him woo 20 times

μνῶνται, μνώμενοι, μνᾶται, μνάσθω, μνάασθαι, μνωομένῳ, μνώοντο, μνᾶσθαι and 4 more

present medio-passive indicative, 3rd plural verb; present medio-passive infinitive; present medio-passive participle, nominative plural masculine

μνάομαι 'to woo/court' is the verb behind mnesteres, the suitors' name — same root you'll see all through the poem.

μνῆστις

thought, memory once

μνῆστις

μνῆστις 'remembrance/thought of' + genitive — idiom for 'give thought to (supper)', negated here.

μνηστεύω

having wooed; to court twice

μνηστεύσαντες, μνηστεύειν

aorist active participle, nominative plural masculine; present active infinitive

μνηστεύειν, 'to woo/court', root of μνηστήρ 'suitor'

μνηστήρ

suitors; the suitors; of the suitors 232 times

μνηστῆρες, μνηστῆρας, μνηστήρων, μνηστῆρσιν, μνηστῆρσι, μνηστήρεσσι, μνηστήρεσσιν, μνηστῆρσ

dative plural masculine noun; accusative plural masculine noun; nominative plural masculine noun

Vocative plural of direct address, parallel to the vocative Ἀντίνο(ε)᾽ above

μόγις

barely; scarcely twice

μόγις

μόγις 'with difficulty, scarcely' — stresses how hard-won Troy's fall was even for Zeus's will

μόνος

alone; only; only, sole 19 times

μοῦνον, μοῦνος, μοῦνοι, μούνω, μούνη

accusative singular masculine adjective; nominative singular masculine adjective; nominative plural masculine adjective

μούνω, dual adjective agreeing with νῶϊ — 'the two of us alone'.

μόρσιμος

fated 3 times

μόρσιμος, μόρσιμον

nominative singular masculine adjective; nominative singular neuter adjective

μόρσιμος, 'fated to come' — hints darkly at Odysseus's own return, unbeknownst to the suitor speaking.

μογέω

having suffered; toiled; I suffered 27 times

μογήσας, ἐμόγησεν, μόγησα, ἐμόγησε, μόγησαν, ἐμόγησαν, ἐμόγησα, μογήσῃ and 1 more

aorist active participle, nominative singular masculine; aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verb; aorist active indicative, 1st singular verb

Aorist participle sets up the contrast: enduring hardship first, then still reaching home—vs. the alternative in l234.

μοῖρα

fate; what is fitting; portions 61 times

μοῖραν, μοῖρ, μοίρας, μοῖρα, μοίρῃ, μοῖρʼ, μοῖράν

accusative singular feminine noun; nominative singular feminine noun; accusative plural feminine noun

κατὰ μοῖραν 'according to due measure/fate' = properly, a common Homeric idiom of propriety.

μοιχάγρια

adulterer's fine once

μοιχάγρι

μοιχάγρια, a rare compound noun 'penalty for adultery' — legalistic vocabulary embedded in the gods' banter.

μολοβρός

glutton twice

μολοβρὸν, μολοβρὸς

accusative singular masculine noun; nominative singular masculine noun

μολοβρός, a rare contemptuous slang term — Melanthius mocking Odysseus in disguise.

μολπή

song; of the song; the singing 5 times

μολπῆς, μολπή, μολπῇ

genitive singular feminine noun; nominative singular feminine noun; dative singular feminine noun

μονόω

left alone; made single twice

μουνωθέντα, μούνωσε

aorist passive participle, accusative singular masculine; aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verb

aorist passive participle of μονόω, 'made solitary'

μορύσσω

grimed once

μεμορυγμένα

μεμορυγμένα, perfect passive participle 'begrimed' — the smoke-stained, worn state of the beggar's clothes.

μορφή

grace/form; grace twice

μορφὴν, μορφὴ

accusative singular feminine noun; nominative singular feminine noun

μορφή 'form/grace' of speech — praising Odysseus's storytelling skill.

μουνάξ

alone; singly, alone twice

μουνὰξ

Rare adverb μουνάξ 'alone, singly', used specifically of solo dancing.

μοχλός

stake; with levers 8 times

μοχλὸν, μοχλοῖσιν, μοχλὸς, μοχλῷ

accusative singular masculine noun; dative plural masculine noun; nominative singular masculine noun

μύρω

lamenting; wailing 3 times

μυρομένοισιν, μυρόμενόν

present medio-passive participle, dative plural masculine; present medio-passive participle, accusative singular masculine

dative of persons affected: 'for those lamenting'

μῦθος

word; words; with words 153 times

μῦθον, μύθων, μύθῳ, μῦθος, μύθοισιν, μύθοισι, μύθοις, μῦθοί and 3 more

accusative singular masculine noun; genitive plural masculine noun; dative plural masculine noun

μῦθος here means authoritative public speech, not myth — Telemachus claims it as the men's exclusive domain.

μυελόεις

marrow-filled once

μυελόεντα

μυελόεις, compound adjective 'full of marrow,' vivid grisly detail

μυθέομαι

to tell; to speak; I will tell 40 times

μυθήσομαι, μυθήσασθαι, μυθήσατο, ἐμυθεόμην, μυθεῖται, μυθήσεαι, μυθήσαιτο, μυθησαίμην and 4 more

aorist medio-passive infinitive; future medio-passive indicative, 1st singular verb; aorist medio-passive indicative, 3rd singular verb

μυθέομαι, 'to tell/pronounce' — bird-reading (oiōnistikē) as speech-craft

μυκάομαι

lowing; had bellowed twice

μυκώμεναι, μεμύκει

present medio-passive participle, nominative plural feminine; pluperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verb

pluperfect: the meat had already begun lowing like live cattle

μυρίος

countless; countless things; countless gifts 16 times

μυρία, μυρίοι, μυρί, μυρίον, μυρίαι

accusative plural neuter adjective; nominative plural masculine adjective; nominative plural neuter adjective

μυρίοι, 'ten-thousandfold,' hyperbolic epic number for an immense crowd.

Μυρμιδόνες

the Myrmidons; of the Myrmidons 3 times

Μυρμιδόνας, Μυρμιδόνων, Μυρμιδόνεσσιν

accusative plural masculine noun; genitive plural masculine noun; dative plural masculine noun

μυχόνδε

to the innermost part once

μυχόνδε

μυχόνδε, directional -δε suffix 'to/into the recess', epic motion-toward ending

μυχοίτατος

innermost once

μυχοίτατος

superlative μυχοίτατος, farthest corner, marks his marginal status among suitors

μῶλυ

moly once

μῶλυ

μῶλυ, the magical herb's proper name — otherwise unattested outside this passage, a divine-only word for mortals.

μῶνυξ

single-hoofed once

μώνυχας

epic epithet μῶνυξ 'solid-hoofed' fixed to horses

Seen once or twice

μάκαρος

blessed twice

Μάντιος

Mantius twice

μάρμαρος

with a boulder once

μάσσω

to grasp once

μάσσων

farther once

μάσταξ

mouth twice

μάστιξ

whip; with whip twice

μάστις

whip once

μάψ

rashly; recklessly twice

μαίομαι

searching for; to seek twice

Μαῖρα

Maera once

Μαιάς

of Maia once

μακεδνός

tall once

μαντεῖον

prophecies once

μαντοσύνη

in prophecy, seercraft once

Μαραθών

Marathon once

μαρτυρία

testimony once

Μαστορίδης

son of Mastor twice

μέλεος

vain once

μέλινος

ash-wood once

μέλισσα

bees once

Μέμνων

Memnon once

μέρμις

cord once

μέτασσα

middle-born once

μεγάλως

greatly once

Μεγάρη

Megara once

μεγακήτης

full of great creatures once

μεγαλίζομαι

I set myself above, exalt myself once

μεθήμων

careless once

μεθίστημι

I will change/exchange once

μεθορμάομαι

lunging after, chasing once

μεθύω

a drunken man once

μειλίσσω

soften it twice

Μελάμπους

of Melampus once

μελάνθιος

Melanthius once

Μελανεύς

of Melaneus once

μελανόχρους

dark-skinned once

μελεδών

cares once

μενέλαος

Menelaus twice

Μενοιτιάδης

son of Menoitios once

Μεσσήνη

Messene once

Μεσσήνιοι

Messenian once

μεσσηγύς

midway between once

μετάφρενον

her back once

μεταβουλεύω

changed plans once

μεταδήμιος

at home; among the people twice

μεταδόρπιος

after supper once

μεταίζω

to sit among them once

μεταστένω

I groaned over once

μεταστρέφω

turn back, reverse once

μετρέω

having crossed once

μήλωψ

yellow once

μήστωρ

counselor twice

μηνίω

is angered once

μητιόεις

cunning once

μητρῷος

of his mother once

μίγδα

mingled once

Μίμας

Mimas once

μικρός

small once

μινυρίζω

whimpered once

μισθός

wage, reward; wages twice

μνήμων

mindful; one who remembers twice

μνῆμα

a remembrance; keepsake twice

μνηστός

wedded, lawful; wedded twice

μορόεις

like mulberries once

Μούλιος

Mulius once

μοῦσα

Muse once

μύνη

with excuses once

μυθολογεύω

do I retell; to tell as a tale twice

μυκηθμός

lowing once

μυλήφατος

mill-ground once

μυχμός

with moaning once

μῶλος

bout once

μῶμος

blame once

μωμεύω

should mock once

The particulars

The words
Every word of the text, parsed: its headword, its form and its meaning in the line. Source text: public domain (Homer, ancient; Greek per the Murray/Allen text via the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 3.0).
Translation
Public-domain Greek (Homer, ancient; text via the Perseus Digital Library). English translation © 2026 1732 Studios, LLC.
Data
JSON · A guide for agents
Two whoopie pies and a pine. An inside joke.