Learn Greek › B1 › άκων
άκων
javelin /ˈa.kon/
nounB1#1923 most common
Also: dart, throwing spear
Example sentences
Ο άκων είναι ένα όπλο.
The javelin is a weapon.
Ο πολεμιστής κρατούσε έναν άκοντα.
The warrior was holding a javelin.
Στην αρχαία Ελλάδα, ο άκων χρησιμοποιούνταν στον πόλεμο και στους αγώνες.
In ancient Greece, the javelin was used in war and in athletic contests.
Οι στρατιώτες έριχναν τους άκοντας εναντίον του εχθρού.
The soldiers hurled their javelins against the enemy.
Το μήκος των ακόντων ποίκιλλε ανάλογα με τη χρήση τους, πολεμική ή αθλητική.
The length of javelins varied depending on their use, military or athletic.
Στην Ιλιάδα, ο Όμηρος περιγράφει λεπτομερώς τη ρίψη του άκοντος από τους ήρωες στο πεδίο της μάχης.
In the Iliad, Homer describes in detail the hurling of the javelin by the heroes on the battlefield.
Declension
| Case | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | άκων | άκοντες |
| Genitive | άκοντος | ακόντων |
| Accusative | άκοντα | άκοντας |
| Vocative | άκον | άκοντες |
Word family
ακόντιοjavelin (modern standard term)
ακοντίζωto hurl a javelin
ακοντιστήςjavelin thrower
ακίςpoint, barb
ακμήedge, prime
Etymology
Άκων is an ancient Greek noun for a light throwing spear, used in warfare and in athletic contests such as the pentathlon. It shares its root with ἀκίς (point) and ἀκμή (edge), from an Indo-European root meaning sharp or pointed. Its diminutive, ἀκόντιον, gave rise to the standard Modern Greek word for javelin, ακόντιο, which largely replaced άκων in everyday speech.
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