δέω

Ancient Greek

Pronunciation

(5^th BCE Attic) IPA^(key): /dé.ɔː/
(1^st CE Egyptian) IPA^(key): /ˈde.o/
(4^th CE Koine) IPA^(key): /ˈðe.o/
(10^th CE Byzantine) IPA^(key): /ˈðe.o/
(15^th CE Constantinopolitan) IPA^(key): /ˈðe.o/

Etymology 1

From Proto-Hellenic *deyō, from Proto-Indo-European *deh₁-. Cognates include Sanskrit द्यति (dyati), Avestan 𐬥𐬍𐬛𐬫𐬁𐬙𐬄𐬨‎ (nīdyātąm) and Albanian duaj.

Alternative forms

δέννω (dénnō)

Verb

δέω • (déō)

I bind, tie, fasten, fetter
- 800 BCE – 600 BCE, Homer, Iliad 10.443:
  ἠέ με δήσαντες λίπετ’ αὐτόθι νηλέϊ δεσμῷ
  ēé me dḗsantes lípet’ autóthi nēléï desmôi
  or bind me with a cruel bond and leave me here
- 800 BCE – 600 BCE, Homer, Iliad 10.475:
  ὠκέες ἵπποι ἐξ ἐπιδιφριάδος πυμάτης ἱμᾶσι δέδεντο
  ōkées híppoi ex epidiphriádos pumátēs himâsi dédento
  his swift horses were tethered by the reins to the topmost rim of the chariot
1. (figuratively)
  - 522 BCE – 443 BCE, Pindar, Pythian Ode 3.54:
    ἀλλὰ κέρδει καὶ σοφία δέδεται.
    allà kérdei kaì sophía dédetai.
    But even skill is enthralled by the love of gain.
2. (middle) I tie onto myself
  - 800 BCE – 600 BCE, Homer, Iliad 2.44:
    ποσσὶ δ’ ὑπὸ λιπαροῖσιν ἐδήσατο καλὰ πέδιλα
    possì d’ hupò liparoîsin edḗsato kalà pédila
    and beneath his shining feet he bound his fair sandals
3. (with genitive) I hinder from
  - 800 BCE – 600 BCE, Homer, Odyssey 4.380:
    ἀλλὰ σύ πέρ μοι εἰπέ […] ὅς τίς μ’ ἀθανάτων πεδάᾳ καὶ ἔδησε κελεύθου
    allà sú pér moi eipé […] hós tís m’ athanátōn pedáāi kaì édēse keleúthou
    But do thou tell me […] who of the immortals fetters me here, and has hindered me from my path
4. (medicine) I brace
  - 460 BCE – 370 BCE, Hippocrates, In the Surgery 17

Inflection

Unlike the other bisyllabic -έω verbs which contract only ε+ε and ε+ει, δέω, when meaning 'bind', occasionally contracts ε+ο, ε+ω.

Present: δέω, δέομαι (Uncontracted)

number		singular			dual		plural
		first	second	third	second	third	first	second	third
active	indicative	δέω	δέεις	δέει	δέετον	δέετον	δέομεν	δέετε	δέουσῐ(ν)
	subjunctive	δέω	δέῃς	δέῃ	δέητον	δέητον	δέωμεν	δέητε	δέωσῐ(ν)
	optative	δέοιμῐ	δέοις	δέοι	δέοιτον	δεοίτην	δέοιμεν	δέοιτε	δέοιεν
	imperative		δεῖ	δεέτω	δέετον	δεέτων		δέετε	δεόντων
middle/ passive	indicative	δέομαι	δέῃ, δέει	δέεται	δέεσθον	δέεσθον	δεόμεθᾰ	δέεσθε	δέονται
	subjunctive	δέωμαι	δέῃ	δέηται	δέησθον	δέησθον	δεώμεθᾰ	δέησθε	δέωνται
	optative	δεοίμην	δέοιο	δέοιτο	δέοισθον	δεοίσθην	δεοίμεθᾰ	δέοισθε	δέοιντο
	imperative		δέου	δεέσθω	δέεσθον	δεέσθων		δέεσθε	δεέσθων
		active				middle/passive
infinitive		δέειν				δέεσθαι
participle	m	δέων				δεόμενος
	f	δέουσᾰ				δεομένη
	n	δέον				δεόμενον
Notes:	This table gives Attic inflectional endings. For conjugation in dialects other than Attic, see Appendix:Ancient Greek dialectal conjugation.

Present: δῶ, δοῦμαι (Contracted)

number		singular			dual		plural
		first	second	third	second	third	first	second	third
active	indicative	δῶ	δεῖς	δεῖ	δεῖτον	δεῖτον	δοῦμεν	δεῖτε	δοῦσῐ(ν)
	subjunctive	δῶ	δῇς	δῇ	δῆτον	δῆτον	δῶμεν	δῆτε	δῶσῐ(ν)
	optative	δοίην, δοῖμῐ	δοίης, δοῖς	δοίη, δοῖ	δοῖτον, δοίητον	δοίτην, δοιήτην	δοῖμεν, δοίημεν	δοῖτε, δοίητε	δοῖεν, δοίησᾰν
	imperative		δεῖ	δείτω	δεῖτον	δείτων		δεῖτε	δούντων
middle/ passive	indicative	δοῦμαι	δεῖ, δῇ	δεῖται	δεῖσθον	δεῖσθον	δούμεθᾰ	δεῖσθε	δοῦνται
	subjunctive	δῶμαι	δῇ	δῆται	δῆσθον	δῆσθον	δώμεθᾰ	δῆσθε	δῶνται
	optative	δοίμην	δοῖο	δοῖτο	δοῖσθον	δοίσθην	δοίμεθᾰ	δοῖσθε	δοῖντο
	imperative		δοῦ	δείσθω	δεῖσθον	δείσθων		δεῖσθε	δείσθων
		active				middle/passive
infinitive		δεῖν				δεῖσθαι
participle	m	δῶν				δούμενος
	f	δοῦσᾰ				δουμένη
	n	δοῦν				δούμενον
Notes:	This table gives Attic inflectional endings. For conjugation in dialects other than Attic, see Appendix:Ancient Greek dialectal conjugation.

Imperfect: ἔδεον, ἐδεόμην (Uncontracted)

number		singular			dual		plural
		first	second	third	second	third	first	second	third
active	indicative	ἔδεον	ἔδεες	ἔδεε(ν)	ἐδέετον	ἐδεέτην	ἐδέομεν	ἐδέετε	ἔδεον
middle/ passive	indicative	ἐδεόμην	ἐδέου	ἐδέετο	ἐδέεσθον	ἐδεέσθην	ἐδεόμεθᾰ	ἐδέεσθε	ἐδέοντο
Notes:	This table gives Attic inflectional endings. For conjugation in dialects other than Attic, see Appendix:Ancient Greek dialectal conjugation.

Imperfect: ἔδουν, ἐδούμην (Contracted)

number		singular			dual		plural
		first	second	third	second	third	first	second	third
active	indicative	ἔδουν	ἔδεις	ἔδει	ἐδεῖτον	ἐδείτην	ἐδοῦμεν	ἐδεῖτε	ἔδουν
middle/ passive	indicative	ἐδούμην	ἐδοῦ	ἐδεῖτο	ἐδεῖσθον	ἐδείσθην	ἐδούμεθᾰ	ἐδεῖσθε	ἐδοῦντο
Notes:	This table gives Attic inflectional endings. For conjugation in dialects other than Attic, see Appendix:Ancient Greek dialectal conjugation.

Imperfect: δεόμην (Uncontracted)

number		singular			dual		plural
		first	second	third	second	third	first	second	third
middle/ passive	indicative	δεόμην	δέου	δέετο	δέεσθον	δεέσθην	δεόμε(σ)θᾰ	δέεσθε	δέοντο
Notes:	Dialects other than Attic are not well attested. Some forms are based on conjecture. Use with caution. For more details, see Appendix:Ancient Greek dialectal conjugation.

Imperfect: δεύμην (Uncontracted)

number		singular			dual		plural
		first	second	third	second	third	first	second	third
middle/ passive	indicative	δεύμην	δεῖο/δέο	δεῖτο	δεῖσθον	δείσθην	δεύμε(σ)θᾰ	δεῖσθε	δεῦντο
Notes:	Dialects other than Attic are not well attested. Some forms are based on conjecture. Use with caution. For more details, see Appendix:Ancient Greek dialectal conjugation.

Future: δήσω, δήσομαι, δεθήσομαι

number		singular			dual		plural
		first	second	third	second	third	first	second	third
active	indicative	δήσω	δήσεις	δήσει	δήσετον	δήσετον	δήσομεν	δήσετε	δήσουσῐ(ν)
active	optative	δήσοιμῐ	δήσοις	δήσοι	δήσοιτον	δησοίτην	δήσοιμεν	δήσοιτε	δήσοιεν
middle	indicative	δήσομαι	δήσῃ, δήσει	δήσεται	δήσεσθον	δήσεσθον	δησόμεθᾰ	δήσεσθε	δήσονται
middle	optative	δησοίμην	δήσοιο	δήσοιτο	δήσοισθον	δησοίσθην	δησοίμεθᾰ	δήσοισθε	δήσοιντο
passive	indicative	δεθήσομαι	δεθήσῃ	δεθήσεται	δεθήσεσθον	δεθήσεσθον	δεθησόμεθᾰ	δεθήσεσθε	δεθήσονται
passive	optative	δεθησοίμην	δεθήσοιο	δεθήσοιτο	δεθήσοισθον	δεθησοίσθην	δεθησοίμεθᾰ	δεθήσοισθε	δεθήσοιντο
		active			middle		passive
infinitive		δήσειν			δήσεσθαι		δεθήσεσθαι
participle	m	δήσων			δησόμενος		δεθησόμενος
	f	δήσουσᾰ			δησομένη		δεθησομένη
	n	δῆσον			δησόμενον		δεθησόμενον
Notes:	This table gives Attic inflectional endings. For conjugation in dialects other than Attic, see Appendix:Ancient Greek dialectal conjugation.

Future: δεδήσομαι

number		singular			dual		plural
		first	second	third	second	third	first	second	third
passive	indicative	δεδήσομαι	δεδήσῃ	δεδήσεται	δεδήσεσθον	δεδήσεσθον	δεδησόμεθᾰ	δεδήσεσθε	δεδήσονται
passive	optative	δεδησοίμην	δεδήσοιο	δεδήσοιτο	δεδήσοισθον	δεδησοίσθην	δεδησοίμεθᾰ	δεδήσοισθε	δεδήσοιντο
							passive
infinitive							δεδήσεσθαι
participle	m						δεδησόμενος
	f						δεδησομένη
	n						δεδησόμενον
Notes:	This table gives Attic inflectional endings. For conjugation in dialects other than Attic, see Appendix:Ancient Greek dialectal conjugation.

Aorist: ἔδησᾰ, ἐδησᾰ́μην, ἐδέθην

number		singular			dual		plural
		first	second	third	second	third	first	second	third
active	indicative	ἔδησᾰ	ἔδησᾰς	ἔδησε(ν)	ἐδήσᾰτον	ἐδησᾰ́την	ἐδήσᾰμεν	ἐδήσᾰτε	ἔδησᾰν
	subjunctive	δήσω	δήσῃς	δήσῃ	δήσητον	δήσητον	δήσωμεν	δήσητε	δήσωσῐ(ν)
	optative	δήσαιμῐ	δήσειᾰς, δήσαις	δήσειε(ν), δήσαι	δήσαιτον	δησαίτην	δήσαιμεν	δήσαιτε	δήσειᾰν, δήσαιεν
	imperative		δῆσον	δησᾰ́τω	δήσᾰτον	δησᾰ́των		δήσᾰτε	δησᾰ́ντων
middle	indicative	ἐδησᾰ́μην	ἐδήσω	ἐδήσᾰτο	ἐδήσᾰσθον	ἐδησᾰ́σθην	ἐδησᾰ́μεθᾰ	ἐδήσᾰσθε	ἐδήσᾰντο
	subjunctive	δήσωμαι	δήσῃ	δήσηται	δήσησθον	δήσησθον	δησώμεθᾰ	δήσησθε	δήσωνται
	optative	δησαίμην	δήσαιο	δήσαιτο	δήσαισθον	δησαίσθην	δησαίμεθᾰ	δήσαισθε	δήσαιντο
	imperative		δῆσαι	δησᾰ́σθω	δήσᾰσθον	δησᾰ́σθων		δήσᾰσθε	δησᾰ́σθων
passive	indicative	ἐδέθην	ἐδέθης	ἐδέθη	ἐδέθητον	ἐδεθήτην	ἐδέθημεν	ἐδέθητε	ἐδέθησᾰν
	subjunctive	δεθῶ	δεθῇς	δεθῇ	δεθῆτον	δεθῆτον	δεθῶμεν	δεθῆτε	δεθῶσῐ(ν)
	optative	δεθείην	δεθείης	δεθείη	δεθεῖτον, δεθείητον	δεθείτην, δεθειήτην	δεθεῖμεν, δεθείημεν	δεθεῖτε, δεθείητε	δεθεῖεν, δεθείησᾰν
	imperative		δέθητῐ	δεθήτω	δέθητον	δεθήτων		δέθητε	δεθέντων
		active			middle		passive
infinitive		δῆσαι			δήσᾰσθαι		δεθῆναι
participle	m	δήσᾱς			δησᾰ́μενος		δεθείς
	f	δήσᾱσᾰ			δησᾰμένη		δεθεῖσᾰ
	n	δῆσᾰν			δησᾰ́μενον		δεθέν
Notes:	This table gives Attic inflectional endings. For conjugation in dialects other than Attic, see Appendix:Ancient Greek dialectal conjugation.

Aorist: δῆσᾰ, δησᾰ́μην, δέθην (Epic)

number		singular			dual		plural
		first	second	third	second	third	first	second	third
active	indicative	δῆσᾰ	δῆσᾰς	δῆσε(ν)	δήσᾰτον	δησᾰ́την	δήσᾰμεν	δήσᾰτε	δῆσᾰν
	subjunctive	δήσω, δήσωμῐ	δήσῃς, δήσῃσθᾰ	δήσῃ, δήσῃσῐ	δήσητον	δήσητον	δήσωμεν	δήσητε	δήσωσῐ(ν)
	optative	δήσαιμῐ	δήσαις, δήσαισθᾰ, δήσειᾰς	δήσειε(ν), δήσαι	δησεῖτον	δησείτην	δησεῖμεν	δησεῖτε	δησεῖεν
	imperative		δῆσον	δησᾰ́τω	δήσᾰτον	δησᾰ́των		δήσᾰτε	δησᾰ́ντων
middle	indicative	δησᾰ́μην	δήσω	δήσᾰτο	δήσᾰσθον	δησᾰ́σθην	δησᾰ́με(σ)θᾰ	δήσᾰσθε	δήσᾰντο
	subjunctive	δήσωμαι, δησώμαιμῐ	δήσηαι, δήσηαι	δήσηται, δησήταισῐ	δήσησθον	δήσησθον	δησώμε(σ)θᾰ	δήσησθε	δήσωνται
	optative	δησαίμην	δήσαιο	δήσαιτο	δήσαισθον	δησαίσθην	δησαίμε(σ)θᾰ	δήσαισθε	δησαίᾰτο
	imperative		δῆσαι	δησᾰ́σθω	δήσᾰσθον	δησᾰ́σθων		δήσᾰσθε	δησᾰ́σθων
passive	indicative	δέθην	δέθης	δέθη	δέθητον	δεθήτην	δέθημεν	δέθητε	δέθησᾰν, δέθεν
	subjunctive	δεθῶ, δεθῶμῐ	δεθῇς, δεθῇσθᾰ	δεθῇ, δεθῇσῐ	δεθῆτον	δεθῆτον	δεθῶμεν	δεθῆτε	δεθῶσῐ(ν)
	optative	δεθείην	δεθείης	δεθείη	δεθεῖτον, δεθείητον	δεθείτην, δεθειήτην	δεθεῖμεν, δεθείημεν	δεθεῖτε, δεθείητε	δέθειεν, δεθείησᾰν
	imperative		δέθητῐ	δεθήτω	δέθητον	δεθήτων		δέθητε	δεθέντων
		active			middle		passive
infinitive		δῆσαι/δησᾰ́μεν/δησᾰμέναι			δήσᾰσθαι		δεθῆναι/δεθήμεναι
participle	m	δήσᾱς			δησᾰ́μενος		δεθείς
	f	δήσᾱσᾰ			δησᾰμένη		δεθεῖσᾰ
	n	δῆσᾰν			δησᾰ́μενον		δεθέν
Notes:	Dialects other than Attic are not well attested. Some forms are based on conjecture. Use with caution. For more details, see Appendix:Ancient Greek dialectal conjugation.

Perfect: δέδεκᾰ, δέδεμαι

number		singular			dual		plural
		first	second	third	second	third	first	second	third
active	indicative	δέδεκᾰ	δέδεκᾰς	δέδεκε(ν)	δεδέκᾰτον	δεδέκᾰτον	δεδέκᾰμεν	δεδέκᾰτε	δεδέκᾱσῐ(ν)
	subjunctive	δεδέκω	δεδέκῃς	δεδέκῃ	δεδέκητον	δεδέκητον	δεδέκωμεν	δεδέκητε	δεδέκωσῐ(ν)
	optative	δεδέκοιμῐ, δεδεκοίην	δεδέκοις, δεδεκοίης	δεδέκοι, δεδεκοίη	δεδέκοιτον	δεδεκοίτην	δεδέκοιμεν	δεδέκοιτε	δεδέκοιεν
	imperative		δέδεκε	δεδεκέτω	δεδέκετον	δεδεκέτων		δεδέκετε	δεδεκόντων
middle/ passive	indicative	δέδεμαι	δέδεσαι	δέδεται	δέδεσθον	δέδεσθον	δεδέμεθᾰ	δέδεσθε	δέδενται
	subjunctive	δεδεμένος ὦ	δεδεμένος ᾖς	δεδεμένος ᾖ	δεδεμένω ἦτον	δεδεμένω ἦτον	δεδεμένοι ὦμεν	δεδεμένοι ἦτε	δεδεμένοι ὦσῐ(ν)
	optative	δεδεμένος εἴην	δεδεμένος εἴης	δεδεμένος εἴη	δεδεμένω εἴητον/εἶτον	δεδεμένω εἰήτην/εἴτην	δεδεμένοι εἴημεν/εἶμεν	δεδεμένοι εἴητε/εἶτε	δεδεμένοι εἴησᾰν/εἶεν
	imperative		δέδεσο	δεδέσθω	δέδεσθον	δεδέσθων		δέδεσθε	δεδέσθων
		active				middle/passive
infinitive		δεδεκέναι				δεδέσθαι
participle	m	δεδεκώς				δεδεμένος
	f	δεδεκυῖᾰ				δεδεμένη
	n	δεδεκός				δεδεμένον
Notes:	This table gives Attic inflectional endings. For conjugation in dialects other than Attic, see Appendix:Ancient Greek dialectal conjugation.

Pluperfect: ἐδεδέκειν, ἐδεδέμην

number		singular			dual		plural
		first	second	third	second	third	first	second	third
active	indicative	ἐδεδέκειν, ἐδεδέκη	ἐδεδέκεις, ἐδεδέκης	ἐδεδέκει(ν)	ἐδεδέκετον	ἐδεδεκέτην	ἐδεδέκεμεν	ἐδεδέκετε	ἐδεδέκεσᾰν
middle/ passive	indicative	ἐδεδέμην	ἐδέδεσο	ἐδέδετο	ἐδέδεσθον	ἐδεδέσθην	ἐδεδέμεθᾰ	ἐδέδεσθε	ἐδέδεντο
Notes:	This table gives Attic inflectional endings. For conjugation in dialects other than Attic, see Appendix:Ancient Greek dialectal conjugation.

Pluperfect: δεδέκειν, δεδέμην (Epic)

number		singular			dual		plural
		first	second	third	second	third	first	second	third
active	indicative	δεδέκειν, δεδέκη	δεδέκεις, δεδέκης	δεδέκει(ν)	δεδέκετον	δεδεκέτην	δεδέκεμεν	δεδέκετε	δεδέκεσᾰν
middle/ passive	indicative	δεδέμην	δέδεσο	δέδετο	δέδεσθον	δεδέσθην	δεδέμεθᾰ	δέδεσθε	δέδεντο
Notes:	Dialects other than Attic are not well attested. Some forms are based on conjecture. Use with caution. For more details, see Appendix:Ancient Greek dialectal conjugation.

Antonyms

λῡ́ω (lū́ō)

Derived terms

ᾰ̓γκιστρόδετος (ankistródetos)
ᾰ̓δᾰμαντόδετος (adamantódetos)
ᾰ̓́δετος (ádetos)
αἰχμόδετος (aikhmódetos)
ᾰ̓κρόδετος (akródetos)
ἁλῠσῐ́δετος (halusídetos)
ᾰ̓μαλλοδετήρ (amallodetḗr)
ἀμφῐδέω (amphidéō)
ᾰ̓νᾰδέω (anadéō)
ἀντῐδέω (antidéō)
ᾰ̓ποδέω (apodéō)
ἀσκοδέτης (askodétēs)
αὐτόδετος (autódetos)
γομφόδετος (gomphódetos)
δῐᾰδέω (diadéō)
ἐκδέω (ekdéō)
ἐλεφαντόδετος (elephantódetos)
ἐμβολοδέτης (embolodétēs)
ἐνδέω (endéō)
ἐπῐδέω (epidéō)
ζῠγόδεσμον (zugódesmon)
ῐ̔μᾰντόδετος (himantódetos)
ῐ̓όδετος (iódetos)
ῐ̔πποδέτης (hippodétēs)
ἰσχῡρόδετος (iskhūródetos)
κᾰτᾰδέω (katadéō)
κερόδετος (keródetos)
κηρόδετος (kēródetos)
κισσόδετης (kissódetēs)
κρήδεμνον (krḗdemnon)
λῐνόδετος (linódetos)
μαλλόδετος (mallódetos)
μαστόδετον (mastódeton)
μᾰχαιροδέτης (makhairodétēs)
μελᾰ́νδετος (melándetos)
μῐτρόδετος (mitródetos)
μολυβδόδετος (molubdódetos)
ναύδετον (naúdeton)
ὀπισθόδετος (opisthódetos)
ὀστοδέτης (ostodétēs)
οὐλοδέτης (oulodétēs)
πᾰνδέτης (pandétēs)
πᾰρᾰδέω (paradéō)
περιδέω (peridéō)
πηρόδετος (pēródetos)
πλημνόδετον (plēmnódeton)
προσδέω (prosdéō)
σᾰγνόδετος (sagnódetos)
σῐδηρόδετος (sidēródetos)
σκελόδεσμον (skelódesmon)
στρωμᾰτόδεσμον (strōmatódesmon)
σῠνδέω (sundéō)
ταυρόδετος (tauródetos)
τῐᾱρόδεσμον (tiāródesmon)
ῠ̔περδέω (huperdéō)
ῠ̔ποδέω (hupodéō)
χαλκόδετος (khalkódetos)
χρῡσόδετος (khrūsódetos)

Related terms

δέμᾰ (déma)
δέσῐς (désis)
δέσμᾰ (désma)
δεσμός (desmós)
δετέον (detéon)
δετός (detós)
δέτρον (détron)
δητός (dētós)

Descendants

Greek: δένω (déno)

References

“δέω”, in Liddell & Scott (1940) A Greek–English Lexicon, Oxford: Clarendon Press
G1210 in Strong, James (1979) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance to the Bible

Etymology 2

Earlier *δέϝω (*déwō): uncertain origin. Either from Proto-Hellenic *dew- or Proto-Indo-European *dews-. If the latter, then cognate with Sanskrit दोष (doṣa).

Alternative forms

δεύω (deúō) – Aeolic, Epic

Verb

δέω • (déō)

To lack, need, require [+genitive = something, someone]
- 428 BCE – 347 BCE, Plato, The Statesman 277d:
  παραδείγματος […] αὖ μοι καὶ τὸ παράδειγμα αὐτὸ δεδέηκεν.
  paradeígmatos […] aû moi kaì tò parádeigma autò dedéēken.
  The very example I employ requires another example.
1. with πολλοῦ (polloû) To be far from being able to do [+infinitive = something]
  - 400 BCE – 387 BCE, Plato, Apology 30d:
    πολλοῦ δέω ἐγὼ ὑπὲρ ἐμαυτοῦ ἀπολογεῖσθαι
    polloû déō egṑ hupèr emautoû apologeîsthai
    I am far from giving a defense for myself
2. participle δέων (déōn)
  1. modifying a noun, with genitive of the number by which something is less than another thing: lacking a number: a number less than something, something minus a number; often used to express numbers ending in 8 or 9
    - 460 BCE – 420 BCE, Herodotus, Histories 1.14.1:
      δυῶν δέοντα τεσσεράκοντα ἔτεα
      duôn déonta tesserákonta étea
      forty minus two years; two less than forty years [= 38 years]
  2. with both the participle and the number in the genitive: genitive absolute: with a number lacking, a number less than
    - 3rd century AD, Diogenes Laertius, Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers 5.27:
      πόλεων δυοῖν δεούσαιν ἑξήκοντα
      póleōn duoîn deoúsain hexḗkonta
      sixty cities with two lacking or two less than sixty [= 58 cities]
(middle, never impersonal, transitive) To lack, not have, or need [+genitive = something]
- 429 BCE, Sophocles, Oedipus the King 1148:
  ἐπεὶ τὰ σὰ δεῖται κολαστοῦ μᾶλλον ἢ τὰ τοῦδ᾽ ἔπη.
  Your words need rebuking more than his.
1. (intransitive) to need [+infinitive = to do something]
  - 380 BCE, Plato, The Republic 392d:
    ἔτι δέομαι σαφέστερον μαθεῖν
    éti déomai saphésteron matheîn
    I still need to understand more plainly.
2. (intransitive) To be in need
  οἱ δεόμενοι
  hoi deómenoi
  the needy
3. (transitive) To beg [+two genitives = something from someone]; [+genitive and infinitive = someone to do something]
  - 460 BCE – 420 BCE, Herodotus, Histories 3.157.1:
    ἐπιτρέπεσθαι ἕτοιμοι ἦσαν τῶν ἐδέετο σφέων
    epitrépesthai hétoimoi êsan tôn edéeto sphéōn
    they were ready to entrust to him all that he asked from them
(construction)
1. (peculiar Attic phrase)
  1. (οἴομαι δεῖν) I hold it necessary, think it my duty
    - 386 BCE – 367 BCE, Plato, Meno 95C
    - 366 BCE – 348 BCE, Plato, Theaetetus 207E
    - 361 BCE, Demosthenes, Against Midias 143
    - 384 BCE – 322 BCE, Demosthenes, Funeral Speech 31
    - 428 BCE – 347 BCE, Plato, Protagoras 316C
    - 430 BCE – 354 BCE, Xenophon, Anabasis 2.6.26
    - 430 BCE – 354 BCE, Xenophon, Memorabilia 4.6.3
    - 384 BCE – 322 BCE, Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics 1152A.6
    - 384 BCE – 322 BCE, Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics 1136B.8
    - 428 BCE – 347 BCE, Plato, Hipparchus 225B
    - 406 BCE, Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus 28
    - 428 BCE – 347 BCE, Plato, Second Alcibiades 144D

Usage notes

The third person and non-finite forms are also used impersonally: see δεῖ (deî).

Other forms: δεοῦμαι (deoûmai) for δεήσομαι (deḗsomai) (Doric: Epicharmus, Collected Works 120).

Inflection

This δέω, meaning “need”, follows the pattern of the -έω bisyllabic verbs: it contracts only to ει.

Present: δέω, δέομαι (Contracted only to ει)

number		singular			dual		plural
		first	second	third	second	third	first	second	third
active	indicative	δέω	δεῖς	δεῖ	δεῖτον	δεῖτον	δέομεν	δεῖτε	δέουσῐ(ν)
	subjunctive	δέω	δέῃς	δέῃ	δέητον	δέητον	δέωμεν	δέητε	δέωσῐ(ν)
	optative	δέοιμῐ	δέοις	δέοι	δέοιτον	δεοίτην	δέοιμεν	δέοιτε	δέοιεν
	imperative		δεῖ	δείτω	δεῖτον	δείτων		δεῖτε	δεόντων
middle/ passive	indicative	δέομαι	δέῃ, δεῖ	δεῖται	δεῖσθον	δεῖσθον	δεόμεθᾰ	δεῖσθε	δέονται
	subjunctive	δέωμαι	δέῃ	δέηται	δέησθον	δέησθον	δεώμεθᾰ	δέησθε	δέωνται
	optative	δεοίμην	δέοιο	δέοιτο	δέοισθον	δεοίσθην	δεοίμεθᾰ	δέοισθε	δέοιντο
	imperative		δέου	δείσθω	δεῖσθον	δείσθων		δεῖσθε	δείσθων
		active				middle/passive
infinitive		δεῖν				δεῖσθαι
participle	m	δέων				δεόμενος
	f	δέουσᾰ				δεομένη
	n	δέον				δεόμενον
Notes:	This table gives Attic inflectional endings. For conjugation in dialects other than Attic, see Appendix:Ancient Greek dialectal conjugation.

Present: δέω, δέομαι (Uncontracted)

number		singular			dual		plural
		first	second	third	second	third	first	second	third
active	indicative	δέω	δέεις	δέει	δέετον	δέετον	δέομεν	δέετε	δέουσῐ(ν)
	subjunctive	δέω	δέῃς	δέῃ	δέητον	δέητον	δέωμεν	δέητε	δέωσῐ(ν)
	optative	δέοιμῐ	δέοις	δέοι	δέοιτον	δεοίτην	δέοιμεν	δέοιτε	δέοιεν
	imperative		δέε	δεέτω	δέετον	δεέτων		δέετε	δεόντων
middle/ passive	indicative	δέομαι	δέῃ, δέει	δέεται	δέεσθον	δέεσθον	δεόμεθᾰ	δέεσθε	δέονται
	subjunctive	δέωμαι	δέῃ	δέηται	δέησθον	δέησθον	δεώμεθᾰ	δέησθε	δέωνται
	optative	δεοίμην	δέοιο	δέοιτο	δέοισθον	δεοίσθην	δεοίμεθᾰ	δέοισθε	δέοιντο
	imperative		δέου	δεέσθω	δέεσθον	δεέσθων		δέεσθε	δεέσθων
		active				middle/passive
infinitive		δέειν				δέεσθαι
participle	m	δέων				δεόμενος
	f	δέουσᾰ				δεομένη
	n	δέον				δεόμενον
Notes:	This table gives Attic inflectional endings. For conjugation in dialects other than Attic, see Appendix:Ancient Greek dialectal conjugation.

Imperfect: ἔδεον, ἐδεόμην (Contracted only to ει)

number		singular			dual		plural
		first	second	third	second	third	first	second	third
active	indicative	ἔδεον	ἔδεις	ἔδει(ν)	ἐδεῖτον	ἐδείτην	ἐδέομεν	ἐδεῖτε	ἔδεον
middle/ passive	indicative	ἐδεόμην	ἐδέου	ἐδεῖτο	ἐδεῖσθον	ἐδείσθην	ἐδεόμεθᾰ	ἐδεῖσθε	ἐδέοντο
Notes:	This table gives Attic inflectional endings. For conjugation in dialects other than Attic, see Appendix:Ancient Greek dialectal conjugation.

Imperfect: ἔδεον, ἐδεόμην (Uncontracted)

number		singular			dual		plural
		first	second	third	second	third	first	second	third
active	indicative	ἔδεον	ἔδεες	ἔδεε(ν)	ἐδέετον	ἐδεέτην	ἐδέομεν	ἐδέετε	ἔδεον
middle/ passive	indicative	ἐδεόμην	ἐδέου	ἐδέετο	ἐδέεσθον	ἐδεέσθην	ἐδεόμεθᾰ	ἐδέεσθε	ἐδέοντο
Notes:	This table gives Attic inflectional endings. For conjugation in dialects other than Attic, see Appendix:Ancient Greek dialectal conjugation.

Future: δεήσω, δεήσομαι, δεηθήσομαι

number		singular			dual		plural
		first	second	third	second	third	first	second	third
active	indicative	δεήσω	δεήσεις	δεήσει	δεήσετον	δεήσετον	δεήσομεν	δεήσετε	δεήσουσῐ(ν)
active	optative	δεήσοιμῐ	δεήσοις	δεήσοι	δεήσοιτον	δεησοίτην	δεήσοιμεν	δεήσοιτε	δεήσοιεν
middle	indicative	δεήσομαι	δεήσῃ, δεήσει	δεήσεται	δεήσεσθον	δεήσεσθον	δεησόμεθᾰ	δεήσεσθε	δεήσονται
middle	optative	δεησοίμην	δεήσοιο	δεήσοιτο	δεήσοισθον	δεησοίσθην	δεησοίμεθᾰ	δεήσοισθε	δεήσοιντο
passive	indicative	δεηθήσομαι	δεηθήσῃ	δεηθήσεται	δεηθήσεσθον	δεηθήσεσθον	δεηθησόμεθᾰ	δεηθήσεσθε	δεηθήσονται
passive	optative	δεηθησοίμην	δεηθήσοιο	δεηθήσοιτο	δεηθήσοισθον	δεηθησοίσθην	δεηθησοίμεθᾰ	δεηθήσοισθε	δεηθήσοιντο
		active			middle		passive
infinitive		δεήσειν			δεήσεσθαι		δεηθήσεσθαι
participle	m	δεήσων			δεησόμενος		δεηθησόμενος
	f	δεήσουσᾰ			δεησομένη		δεηθησομένη
	n	δεῆσον			δεησόμενον		δεηθησόμενον
Notes:	This table gives Attic inflectional endings. For conjugation in dialects other than Attic, see Appendix:Ancient Greek dialectal conjugation.

Aorist: ἐδέησᾰ, ἐδεησᾰ́μην, ἐδεήθην

number		singular			dual		plural
		first	second	third	second	third	first	second	third
active	indicative	ἐδέησᾰ	ἐδέησᾰς	ἐδέησε(ν)	ἐδεήσᾰτον	ἐδεησᾰ́την	ἐδεήσᾰμεν	ἐδεήσᾰτε	ἐδέησᾰν
	subjunctive	δεήσω	δεήσῃς	δεήσῃ	δεήσητον	δεήσητον	δεήσωμεν	δεήσητε	δεήσωσῐ(ν)
	optative	δεήσαιμῐ	δεήσειᾰς, δεήσαις	δεήσειε(ν), δεήσαι	δεήσαιτον	δεησαίτην	δεήσαιμεν	δεήσαιτε	δεήσειᾰν, δεήσαιεν
	imperative		δέησον	δεησᾰ́τω	δεήσᾰτον	δεησᾰ́των		δεήσᾰτε	δεησᾰ́ντων
middle	indicative	ἐδεησᾰ́μην	ἐδεήσω	ἐδεήσᾰτο	ἐδεήσᾰσθον	ἐδεησᾰ́σθην	ἐδεησᾰ́μεθᾰ	ἐδεήσᾰσθε	ἐδεήσᾰντο
	subjunctive	δεήσωμαι	δεήσῃ	δεήσηται	δεήσησθον	δεήσησθον	δεησώμεθᾰ	δεήσησθε	δεήσωνται
	optative	δεησαίμην	δεήσαιο	δεήσαιτο	δεήσαισθον	δεησαίσθην	δεησαίμεθᾰ	δεήσαισθε	δεήσαιντο
	imperative		δέησαι	δεησᾰ́σθω	δεήσᾰσθον	δεησᾰ́σθων		δεήσᾰσθε	δεησᾰ́σθων
passive	indicative	ἐδεήθην	ἐδεήθης	ἐδεήθη	ἐδεήθητον	ἐδεηθήτην	ἐδεήθημεν	ἐδεήθητε	ἐδεήθησᾰν
	subjunctive	δεηθῶ	δεηθῇς	δεηθῇ	δεηθῆτον	δεηθῆτον	δεηθῶμεν	δεηθῆτε	δεηθῶσῐ(ν)
	optative	δεηθείην	δεηθείης	δεηθείη	δεηθεῖτον, δεηθείητον	δεηθείτην, δεηθειήτην	δεηθεῖμεν, δεηθείημεν	δεηθεῖτε, δεηθείητε	δεηθεῖεν, δεηθείησᾰν
	imperative		δεήθητῐ	δεηθήτω	δεήθητον	δεηθήτων		δεήθητε	δεηθέντων
		active			middle		passive
infinitive		δεῆσαι			δεήσᾰσθαι		δεηθῆναι
participle	m	δεήσᾱς			δεησᾰ́μενος		δεηθείς
	f	δεήσᾱσᾰ			δεησᾰμένη		δεηθεῖσᾰ
	n	δεῆσᾰν			δεησᾰ́μενον		δεηθέν
Notes:	This table gives Attic inflectional endings. For conjugation in dialects other than Attic, see Appendix:Ancient Greek dialectal conjugation.

Perfect: δεδέηκᾰ, δεδέημαι

number		singular			dual		plural
		first	second	third	second	third	first	second	third
active	indicative	δεδέηκᾰ	δεδέηκᾰς	δεδέηκε(ν)	δεδεήκᾰτον	δεδεήκᾰτον	δεδεήκᾰμεν	δεδεήκᾰτε	δεδεήκᾱσῐ(ν)
	subjunctive	δεδεήκω	δεδεήκῃς	δεδεήκῃ	δεδεήκητον	δεδεήκητον	δεδεήκωμεν	δεδεήκητε	δεδεήκωσῐ(ν)
	optative	δεδεήκοιμῐ, δεδεηκοίην	δεδεήκοις, δεδεηκοίης	δεδεήκοι, δεδεηκοίη	δεδεήκοιτον	δεδεηκοίτην	δεδεήκοιμεν	δεδεήκοιτε	δεδεήκοιεν
	imperative		δεδέηκε	δεδεηκέτω	δεδεήκετον	δεδεηκέτων		δεδεήκετε	δεδεηκόντων
middle/ passive	indicative	δεδέημαι	δεδέησαι	δεδέηται	δεδέησθον	δεδέησθον	δεδεήμεθᾰ	δεδέησθε	δεδέηνται
	subjunctive	δεδεημένος ὦ	δεδεημένος ᾖς	δεδεημένος ᾖ	δεδεημένω ἦτον	δεδεημένω ἦτον	δεδεημένοι ὦμεν	δεδεημένοι ἦτε	δεδεημένοι ὦσῐ(ν)
	optative	δεδεημένος εἴην	δεδεημένος εἴης	δεδεημένος εἴη	δεδεημένω εἴητον/εἶτον	δεδεημένω εἰήτην/εἴτην	δεδεημένοι εἴημεν/εἶμεν	δεδεημένοι εἴητε/εἶτε	δεδεημένοι εἴησᾰν/εἶεν
	imperative		δεδέησο	δεδεήσθω	δεδέησθον	δεδεήσθων		δεδέησθε	δεδεήσθων
		active				middle/passive
infinitive		δεδεηκέναι				δεδεῆσθαι
participle	m	δεδεηκώς				δεδεημένος
	f	δεδεηκυῖᾰ				δεδεημένη
	n	δεδεηκός				δεδεημένον
Notes:	This table gives Attic inflectional endings. For conjugation in dialects other than Attic, see Appendix:Ancient Greek dialectal conjugation.

Derived terms

ᾰ̓δεής (adeḗs)
ᾰ̓́δειᾰ (ádeia)
ἀντῐδέομαι (antidéomai)
ᾰ̓ποδέω (apodéō)
αὐτοδεής (autodeḗs)
ἐκδεής (ekdeḗs)
ἐνδέω (endéō)
ἐπῐδέω (epidéō)
ἡμῐδεής (hēmideḗs)
κᾰτᾰδέομαι (katadéomai)
κᾰτᾰδέω (katadéō)
λῐποδεής (lipodeḗs)
λογοδεής (logodeḗs)
ὀλῐγοδεής (oligodeḗs)
ὀψόδειᾰ (opsódeia)
πολῠδεής (poludeḗs)
προσδέω (prosdéō)
σῑτοδείᾱ (sītodeíā)
σῠνδέομαι (sundéomai)
ὑποδεέστερος (hupodeésteros)

Related terms

δέημᾰ (déēma)
δεησῐ́δῐον (deēsídion)
δέησῐς (déēsis)
δεητέον (deētéon)
δεητῐκός (deētikós)
δεῖ (deî)

References

“δέω”, in Liddell & Scott (1940) A Greek–English Lexicon, Oxford: Clarendon Press
“δέω”, in Liddell & Scott (1889) An Intermediate Greek–English Lexicon, New York: Harper & Brothers
“δέω”, in Autenrieth, Georg (1891) A Homeric Dictionary for Schools and Colleges, New York: Harper and Brothers
δέω in Bailly, Anatole (1935) Le Grand Bailly: Dictionnaire grec-français, Paris: Hachette
Bauer, Walter et al. (2001) A Greek–English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, Third edition, Chicago: University of Chicago Press
δέω in Cunliffe, Richard J. (1924) A Lexicon of the Homeric Dialect: Expanded Edition, Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, published 1963
δέω in the Diccionario Griego–Español en línea (2006–2023)
“δέω”, in Slater, William J. (1969) Lexicon to Pindar, Berlin: Walter de Gruyter
G1163 in Strong, James (1979) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance to the Bible
δέω in Trapp, Erich, et al. (1994–2007) Lexikon zur byzantinischen Gräzität besonders des 9.-12. Jahrhunderts [the Lexicon of Byzantine Hellenism, Particularly the 9th–12th Centuries], Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften

Verb

δέω • (déō)

Alternative form of δήω (dḗō)

Greek

Etymology

From Ancient Greek δέω (“at its sense: need”). From its other sense ("I tie"), the modern δένω (déno).

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ˈðe.o/
Hyphenation: δέ‧ω

Verb

δέω • (déo) (past: εδέησα/δέησα, passive with different sense: δέομαι

(active voice: only in perfective stem) make possible (also used ironically) e.g.
εδέησα (edéisa, past tense, retaining the old syllabic augment ε-)
Εδέησε να μου επιστρέψει το βιβλίο που του είχα δανείσει.
Edéise na mou epistrépsei to vivlío pou tou eícha daneísei.
S/he finally (succeeded to) return the book I had lent him/her.
1. (in 3rd persons) + ναused as impersonal
  Μετά την ξηρασία, εδέησε να βρέξει.
  Metá tin xirasía, edéise na vréxei.
  After the drought, it finally rained.
  Also see the ancient uncontracted: → δει (dei, “it is needed”), Polytonic spelling: δεῖ
(passive voice) δέομαι (déomai, “pray to God”)

Conjugation

δέω δέομαι

	Active voice ➤		Passive voice ➤
Indicative mood ➤	Imperfective aspect ➤	Perfective aspect ➤	Imperfective aspect	Perfective aspect
Non-past tenses ➤	Present ➤	Dependent ➤	Present	Dependent
1 sg	—	δεήσω	δέομαι	δεηθώ
2 sg	—	δεήσεις	δέεσαι	δεηθείς
3 sg	{δει}¹	δεήσει	δέεται	δεηθεί

1 pl	—	δεήσουμε, [‑ομε]	δεόμαστε	δεηθούμε
2 pl	—	δεήσετε	δέεστε, (δεόσαστε)	δεηθείτε
3 pl	—	δεήσουν(ε)	δέονται	δεηθούν(ε)

Past tenses ➤	Imperfect ➤	Simple past ➤	Imperfect	Simple past
1 sg	—	εδέησα, (δέησα)³	δεόμουν(α)⁴	δεήθηκα
2 sg	—	εδέησες, δέησες	δεόσουν(α)	δεήθηκες
3 sg	{έδει}²	εδέησε, δέησε	δεόταν(ε)	δεήθηκε, {εδεήθη}

1 pl	—	δεήσαμε	δεόμασταν, (‑όμαστε)	δεηθήκαμε
2 pl	—	δεήσατε	δεόσασταν, (‑όσαστε)	δεηθήκατε
3 pl	—	εδέησαν, δέησαν, (δεήσαν[ε])	δέονταν, (δεόντουσαν)	δεήθηκαν, (δεηθήκαν[ε]), {εδεήθησαν}

Future tenses ➤	Continuous ➤	Simple ➤	Continuous	Simple
1 sg	— ➤	θα δεήσω ➤	θα δέομαι ➤	θα δεηθώ ➤
2,3 sg, 1,2,3 pl	—	θα δεήσεις, …	θα δέεσαι, …	θα δεηθείς, …

	Perfect aspect ➤		Perfect aspect
Present perfect ➤	έχω, έχεις, … δεήσει		έχω, έχεις, … δεηθεί
Past perfect ➤	είχα, είχες, … δεήσει		είχα, είχες, … δεηθεί
Future perfect ➤	θα έχω, θα έχεις, … δεήσει		θα έχω, θα έχεις, … δεηθεί

Subjunctive mood ➤	Formed using present, dependent (for simple past) or present perfect from above with a particle (να, ας).

Imperative mood ➤	Imperfective aspect	Perfective aspect	Imperfective aspect	Perfective aspect
2 sg	—	δέησε	—	δεήσου
2 pl	—	δεήστε	δέεστε	δεηθείτε

Other forms	Active voice		Passive voice
Present participle➤	{δέων, δέουσα, δέον} ➤ — ➤		δεόμενος, δεόμενη/{δεομένη}, δεόμενο ➤
Perfect participle➤	έχοντας δεήσει ➤		—

Nonfinite form➤	δεήσει		δεηθεί


Notes Appendix:Greek verbs	1. Impersonal ancient δεῖ (“it is needed”), contracted form of δέει. Survives in set phrases. 2. Surviving in set phrases, the ancient ἔδει (“it was needed”). 3. The syllabic augment ε- is retained as in the ancient ἐδέησα. More rare are the modern forms without augment: δέησα, ... 4. The modern -όμουνα, -όσουνα, -ότανε endings are less frequent for ancient verbs. • (…) optional or informal. […] rare. {…} learned, archaic. • Multiple forms are shown in order of reducing frequency. • Periphrastic imperative forms may be produced using the subjunctive.

Related terms

δέηση f (déisi, “prayer”)
δει (dei, “it is needed, it must”), δεῖ
δεόμενος (deómenos, partitiple), fem. δεόμενη/δεομένη, neu. δεόμενο
δεόντως (deóntos, adverb)
δέων (déon, partitiple), fem. δέουσα, neu. δέον

Compounds (and see their related words)

ανασυνδέω (anasyndéo, “reconnect”)
αποσυνδέω (aposyndéo, “disconnect”)
διασυνδέω (diasyndéo, “interconnect”)
επανασυνδέω (epanasyndéo, “reconnect again”)
συνδέω (syndéo, “connect”)

and

ενδεής (endeḯs, “poor, needing”)
δεοντολογία f (deontología, “code of ethics”)

Also see related words of δένω (déno) deriving from the second sense of δέω.

δέω

Ancient Greek

Pronunciation

Etymology 1

Alternative forms

Verb

Inflection

Antonyms

Derived terms

Related terms

Descendants

References

Etymology 2

Alternative forms

Verb

Usage notes

Inflection

Derived terms

Related terms

References

Verb

Greek

Etymology

Pronunciation

Verb

Conjugation

Related terms

See also