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Sword

Greek (Ancient) translation: ξίφος

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:Sword
Greek (Ancient) translation:ξίφος
Entered by: MedocBound

16:13 Jul 4, 2020
English to Greek (Ancient) translations [Non-PRO]
Military / Defense / Correct term for sword
English term or phrase: Sword
Hello,
I’m looking for help translating a word for 'sword' into Greek (ancient or current) for an entertainment novel work-in-progress to be written in US English.

The main characters in question are destined to be the "arrow and sword" of the Olympian gods they’ve descended from. The impression I’m going for is the arrow is the long range battle tactic and the sword the close in tactic. For arrow, I found “βέλος - vélos” but for sword I got both “σπαθί - spathí” and “ξίφος - xífos”. Another suggestion was "xiphos."

What’s the difference between these types of swords/blades? Are we talking long sword vs dagger?

Also, is ancient Greek or current Greek translations better for this use?

I would prefer to avoid sexual innuendo if one of these is used colloquially.

Any help is appreciated!
MedocBound
United States
ξίφος
Explanation:
Your combination would be βέλος and ξίφος.

Σπαθί is modern Greek. Ancient Greek was σπάθη (any kind of broad blade, including the broad blade of a sword). Modern σπαθί came from its diminutive, σπαθίον.

Ξίφος is still in use in the same form. No sexual innuendo.
Selected response from:

Nick Lingris
United Kingdom
Local time: 04:59
Grading comment
Thank you for the assistance! This is exactly what I needed.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4ξίφος
Nick Lingris


  

Answers


13 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
sword
ξίφος


Explanation:
Your combination would be βέλος and ξίφος.

Σπαθί is modern Greek. Ancient Greek was σπάθη (any kind of broad blade, including the broad blade of a sword). Modern σπαθί came from its diminutive, σπαθίον.

Ξίφος is still in use in the same form. No sexual innuendo.


Nick Lingris
United Kingdom
Local time: 04:59
Native speaker of: Native in GreekGreek
Grading comment
Thank you for the assistance! This is exactly what I needed.
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