σαρδάνιος

Ancient Greek

Etymology

Uncertain, but since antiquity it is often cited as deriving from the Sardinian plant (Ranunculus sardous), known as either σαρδάνη (sardánē) or σαρδόνιον (sardónion). When eaten, it would cause the eater's face to contort in a look resembling scorn (generally followed by death).

It have also been compared with σέσηρα (sésēra, to show teeth) and σαίρω (saírō, to grin).

Alternatively, Kretschmer tried to connect the name of the Šardana people living near Egypt, although the details remain unclear.

Pronunciation

 

Adjective

σαρδάνῐος (sardánios) m (feminine σαρδᾰνίᾱ, neuter σαρδάνῐον); first/second declension

  1. (of laughter or smiles) scornful, bitter, grim

Inflection

Descendants

Further reading

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