Le problème des mots simples issus de composés privatifs.

Abstract

In an isolated testimony, Apollonius Dyscolus argues that some simple words are formed from words compounded with alpha privative, by means of the deletion of the alpha (ἀέκητι → ἕκητι). The way Apollonius discusses this formation is paradoxical. Indeed, the grammarian regards this formation as a pathos (morphological change). However, a corrupted word-form, according to Apollonius himself, should always retain the meaning of the original form, whereas a simple word necessarily means the opposite of its privative compound. This article aims to show what this conception of Apollonius, which challenges the very principle of pathology, teaches us about the particular status of the privative compound and its place in ancient grammatical theory.

Keywords

• Apollonius Dyscolus
• compound word
• decompound word
• figure (σχῆµα)
• Greek grammatical tradition
• morphological change (πάθoς)